NEWS

Eggs are a healthy part of a balanced diet.

DAVID RUSSELL CONTINUES TO DEMYSTIFY THE FOOD BUSINESS.

British Egg Week

British Egg week will be taking place from 1117 October and will see all sorts of egg related events taking place across the country all in the name of raising awareness about eggs as a tasty and healthy part of a balanced diet. Excitingly, top chefs, including Gordon Ramsay and Delia Smith are supporting the British Egg Industry Councils (BEICs) Egg Week by donating their favourite omelette recipes to a new recipe booklet. Additionally, a partnership with a leading group of gyms will see posters in locker rooms, advertisements in club literature, and omelettes on menus at gym restaurants across the UK. Commenting on the campaign, Mike Baldwin, Lion Egg Marketing Committee chairman, said: The British egg industry has more to celebrate this British Egg Week than ever before and were delighted that so many celebrities and reputable chefs are celebrating with us. For information on how you can become involved in the British Egg Week campaign call BEIS on 020 7370 7411.

The Future really is the Past

Im sat in a 15th century monastery in Cusco, Peru, following a few days visiting local food markets and rural farming communities. Im searching for the answer or clues to the question of how this rural Andean population, living at altitudes above 4,000m has an increasing life expectancy, endless energy, vitality, hearts of gold and live with just what nature has provided. In a dramatic contrast to high-tech agribusiness methods, their farming principles raise crops and animals without articial or chemical means. The stated aim is to protect and, over time, improve soil fertility. Their ancient cultivation practices aim to promote soil health through natural predators to pests, inter-cropping and rotation. The extensive use of manure (Llama, Alpaca tasty, low cholesterol meats) further develops soil fertility. The decaying organic matter with its large surface area relative to volume holds what available water there is, retains nutrients on the surface and keeps the soil crumbly allowing air and heat to the roots, promoting growth. The native farmers tell me that the organic materials do more than add texture and a steady supply of nutrients. They harbour essential micro-organisms, bacteria and fungi beneting plant growth. Soil microbes produce hundreds of natural antibiotics. So, no surprises that crops grown in these soils rich in microbes provide crops qualitatively superior to our crops chemically enriched with nitrogen. Mentioning antibiotics and going off piste a little, the government provided allopathic clinics lay empty with the indigenous population believing and relying on natural remedies for any ailing body condition. I referred to crop rotation, the Incas introduced such principles on their narrow terraces and the tradition lives on with a three year rotation (in contrast to the Roman two course practice) ensuring the soil does not lose fertility and disease does not build up. As for the livestock, no antibiotics or hormones in sight, only products from natural sources. The texture, avour and nutrient quality of these slow grown, mixed diet animals is, again, far superior to that of a rapidly grown animal. So, the message I have received here in Peru is the future really is the past, a return to the market square principles where we are able to purchase local produce, grown in nutrient rich elds and meat and poultry reared without articial interference a costly dream some may say but my money is on human health and wellbeing above low cost food a dream worth working towards.

PUB OF THE YEAR The Olive Branch & Beech House in Clipsham has been selected as the Michelin Pub of the Year 2008 in Michelins Eating Out in Pubs guide. The Olive Branch and Beech House, was converted from three farm-workers cottages and serves Champagnes, homemade lemonade and its own label real ale, Olive Oil. www.theolivebranchpub.com
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6/9/07 21:53:51