Unit 4

People that live on a limited budget, one the things they cut back on i food. We can save money and make good choices to provide nutritious meals even if we are on a limited budget;

• Planning meals is a good starting point, try using recipes where you can double up on the ingredients.
• Always look for 'special offers' in shops.
• Collect and use supermarkey vouchers, coupons and loyalty points.
• Buy seaonal food which are always cheaper at a particular time of year, when they are plenty and a lot more tastier.

Culture is a word used to describe a way of life which makes us different from other people. It influences beliefs, laws, customs and often religion. We are often not aware of the influence it has on what, when and how we eat.

Examples of food culture include;

• Which foods are acceptable to eat and which are not.
• Which foods are considered good and which are considered bad for you.
• What is an acceptable way to eat food and what is not an acceptable way.

Many religions have laws and rules which limit their food choices and forbid eating certain foods. These rules are often linked to celebrations, traditions or times of the year.

People are concerned about factory farming, global warming, fair trading and environmental issuses. This could influence where people choose to buy their food and their food choice.

Farmers' markets sell locally produced food, mainly fruit and vegetables. The foods sold must come from the local area and products must contain local indredients. These foods can also be sold in frams shops and box schemes and are regulated by the National farmers' retail Markets Association.

Fair trade products aim to give farmers in developing countries a better deal. The Fair Trade Foundation ensures that farmers get a fair price for their produce, engough to give them a steady income.

Another concern is the distance food travels before it gets to us, 'from field to plate' called food miles. Food miles make us aware of the wffect of transporting food around the world has on our environment.

Many foods, such as fruits and vegetables can only be grown in this country at particular times of the year or in greenhouse which need to be heated. It is considered to be cheaper to import many fruits and vegetables, particularly during the winter, because of these costs.

Organic food is produced as naturally as possible, without the use of artificial chemical fertilisers or pesticides.

Organically produced animals are reared naturally without the use of medication or drugs and must have access to outdoor, organic land.

Genetically modified foods are a relatively new and complex form of science. Genes from a particular plant are taken and planted in another plant to give that plant a specific desirable charateristics. These specific charactertics can make the plant more nutritious, resistant to pests, drought or disease, grow faster on increase shelf life.

Many people are concerned about the use of GM foods are;

• Possible health risks and allergic reactions.
• Pollen from GM crops can escape and mix with wild plants and non-GM crops.
• Tampering or playing with nature.

Functional Foods are foods which contain naturally occurring substances which can have a positive effect on health and well-being or low risk of developing certain diseases.

These are foods which have extra nutrients added to them with the aim of improving people's health. Some foods are fortifed by law, e.g. margarine; other are fortified voluntarily, e.g. breakfast cereals.

Fortified foods make an important contribution to diets in the UK. Examples are;

• Calcium added voluntarily to soya-based drinks.
• Iron, thiamine and niacin added by law to white and brown flour.
• Vitamin A and D are added by law to margarine.