Eat yourself richer: Could better food fix our economy?
Feb 7, 2025
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Kevin Morgan, Professor of Governance and Development at Cardiff University and author of 'Serving the Public', discusses the dire state of institutional food in the UK. He reveals how improving meals in schools, hospitals, and prisons could enhance public health and even stimulate economic growth. Morgan emphasizes the importance of nutritious, culturally appropriate food over mere fine dining. He also tackles the challenges posed by food lobbying and advocates for stronger government action to ensure better food access for all.
Improving the quality of food in public institutions like schools and hospitals can enhance public health and reduce long-term healthcare costs.
Investing in better institutional food not only supports local businesses but also addresses social issues such as malnutrition and rehabilitation in prisons.
Deep dives
Defining Good Food
Good food is defined as appetizing, nutritious, culturally appropriate, and sustainably produced, moving beyond elite culinary associations. The Mediterranean diet serves as a practical example, emphasizing meals rich in vegetables, fruits, and pulses, while containing less but better-quality meat. It's acknowledged that healthier meals often come at a higher cost, posing a significant challenge for affordability. To address this, discussions about subsidization and the prioritization of good food in public institutions, such as schools, are essential and currently lacking.
The State of School Meals
Schools are increasingly facing the issue of poor quality food, as reflected in the decline post Jamie Oliver's reforms, with a resurgence of ultra-processed options. Research indicates that inadequate nutrition impacts children's behavior and concentration, which in turn affects their learning outcomes. Some areas showcase excellence in school food provision, yet these examples remain the exception rather than the norm due to inconsistent standards and regulatory oversight. Initiatives like Marcus Rashford's campaign for free meals highlight the pressing need to improve school diets, as many children rely on school meals as their primary source of nutrition.
Nutrition in Hospitals and Prisons
Malnutrition among hospital patients, especially the elderly, significantly hinders recovery and increases healthcare costs, indicating a need for better nutritional care. Efforts like the Cornwall Food Programme exemplify success in delivering quality meals, yet sustaining these high standards remains a challenge due to management changes. In prisons, nutritional inadequacies directly correlate with higher re-offending rates, emphasizing the potential benefits of improved diets. These findings suggest that a holistic approach to food quality in public institutions not only promotes health but also serves broader social objectives, such as rehabilitation and better future outcomes for individuals.
From school canteens to prison kitchens, the quality of the meals served in public institutions is often alarmingly poor. But rather than accepting this, could fixing the issue boost Britain in ways we might not realise?
In today’s episode, Coco Khan speaks with Kevin Morgan, Professor of Governance and Development at Cardiff University and author of Serving the Public, to explore how better institutional food can boost public health, support local businesses, and perhaps even lead to the economic growth politicians desire.
Written and presented by Coco Khan. Producer: Liam Tait. Audio editors: Tom Taylor. Managing editor: Jacob Jarvis. Music by Kenny Dickinson. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. THE BUNKER is a Podmasters Production.