Get Gobby over our broken food system

Vicki Hird

03 May 2013

Depending on your preferences, the news from China puts our horsemeat scandal into the shade. Apparently they've had fox, mink, rat and other meat  passed off as lamb. They are also finding their rivers filling up with dead pigs.

Meanwhile over here, the news is of bee harming pesticides, horse meat in our lasagne and, horror of horrors, how we have to import wheat for our biscuits and bread because climate change has hit UK farming hard.

The broken food system just keeps revealing its secrets. And that includes serious harm to wildlife, water, the climate and even our health. But it does not have to be this way.

Friends of the Earth and others have been pushing for years to get those who manage our food system to make clear changes: government policy makers, supermarkets and caterers. And we need consumers to demand better food and the right policies to help us choose well - for our health and for the planet.

But it's hard to persuade politicians, caterers or even your mates to think differently about food. So we need help.

If you are a student or know students, university staff or parents, then we have a great creative task for you and it comes with the chance of winning £500. All we need is a great campaign idea - a persuasive blog, a new social media tool or even a practical idea to get folk buying or cooking differently.

Have a look at the Get Gobby pages and enter the competition now. We need you.

And cook from fresh to avoid eating something you may find surprising...