The Campaign for Real Bread Conference, held in Oxford in November 2009, highlighted a number of important issues, including how the big supermarket chains (with the connivance of government) are undermining both the social and nutritional values of our daily bread: fewer bakers, fewer millers, GM farming … unlisted ingredients ….mass medication through the toast on our breakfast tables! I (Penny) arrived at the conference as a relatively new baker, expecting a happy few hours hearing about organic recipes. I came away both angry and inspired. Angry at what I’d been innocently consuming all my life, and the impacts of industrial food production/distribution on baking and farming cultures around the world, and inspired by the idea that we could do something to make a stand against it.
Both of us are increasingly concerned about the way the freedom and autonomy of individuals, as well as nations, is being deliberately eroded. We feel that we are all being lulled into a state of moral lethargy, in which it is much ‘easier’ to leave things to the government(s) to handle. ‘Globalisation’ only intensifies the polarisation between the world’s richest and everybody else. This leaves far too many people either being fed rubbish, or not getting enough to eat at all. (For more info, visit campaignforrealfarming.blogspot.com)
The good news is, we believe that individuals can all make a positive difference to the status quo. Baking real bread for our village, and helping others do the same, is our way of doing just that.
Claire
6 months ago
I’ve just had a quick look through your website, which looks fantastic and is really inspiring. I would love to be able to buy your bread in my local village shop – who knows, maybe it will encourage me to start baking!
I wish I’d been able to attend the Real Bread Conference in November and heard Colin Tudge speak. I have just read his book ‘Feeding People is Easy’ which I would recommend to anyone interested in eating good nutritious food and finding out more about the problems with modern agricultural practices.
Keep up the good work!