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Intelligence Squared

Stuffed: Pen Vogler on Britain's Food History

Dec 17, 2023
38:04
Snipd AI
Pen Vogler, acclaimed food historian, discusses the history of British food and how staples like bread and beer have reflected the class system. The podcast explores the impact of events like the plague, the significance of communal feasting, and the history of food imports and food insecurity in Britain.
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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The industrialization and supermarket-driven food system in Britain has led to a disconnect between consumers and producers, emphasizing the need for a closer relationship between consumers and farmers.
  • The historical control and regulation of staple foods like bread in Britain demonstrate how power dynamics and economic factors have shaped the current reliance on supermarkets and limited food variety.

Deep dives

The Evolution of Food and Its Connection to Community Responsibility

This podcast episode explores the history and evolution of food in Britain, focusing on how the way we eat and the food on our plates reflects our society. The guest, Penn Vogler, a food historian and author, discusses her book 'Stuffed: A History of Good Food and Hard Times in Britain,' which examines the various meanings of being 'stuffed' in relation to food. She delves into the idea of community responsibility in ensuring that everyone is fed and the role of different entities, such as the government, charities, and individuals, in times of crisis. Vogler also addresses the shift from a more localized food system, where people had a direct connection to the land and their food, to the current industrialized and supermarket-driven system that has resulted in a disconnect between consumers and producers.

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