NOURISHING OUR NATION WITH A UBI

The national charity Food Foundation recently released a new version of its flagship report Broken Plate. With this report the charity communicates important trends that are impacting the United Kingdom (UK)’s food system and recommend actions to policymakers for ensuring that everyone can afford healthy and sustainable food.

The report, rightly, shows that far too many people in the UK are unable to afford a ‘healthy diet’. And, while their statistics are shocking, I feel we read the same each year, food poverty becomes normalised and fails to incite the anger it should for the many. Rather than endless policy recommendations that fail to engage or excite those at the grassroots, and often stigmatise and penalise those most in poverty, we should be pushing for a Universal Basic Income (UBI). This would place power in the hands of the consumer, empowering them to make choices rather than navigating sugar taxes, further restrictions, laws and public health guidelines, giving them agency over what they choose and want to eat.

Currently, those experiencing food poverty have little choice of where to shop, it is often large supermarkets with prices that exploit the consumer with more care about profit rather than customers' health and wellbeing. For others, it is small convenience stores in food deserts with a poverty premium - meaning individuals pay much higher prices as they have no other option, alongside product ranges that are limited with little to no fresh food and an abundance of ultra-processed food (UPF) that is consistently associated with poor health.

A UBI would firstly give people more money in their pockets unconditionally to purchase previously unaffordable food; food they want to eat but that’s been out of reach, and it might allow them to travel further afield to shop in places more affordable. What’s perhaps just as exciting is that it might make small independent businesses such as bakers, butchers and greengrocers more appealing and within budget. Obviously, many places don’t have such amenities (food deserts), but a UBI might make those wanting to set up small local businesses more attractive, easing the burden of the risk involved and potentially empower talented bakers, cooks and growers to do something in their communities, encouraging a local food economy that puts money back in the pockets of local people over big corporations.

A UBI would give a safety net to already established or emerging small local businesses which might in turn allow them to spend on advertising or incentives to buy local, fresh, and sustainable food.

The Broken Plate report is very critical of ‘fast food’ but could do better with recognising and reporting on the diversity of such outlets. Whilst there are obviously fast-food outlets which serve poor quality food with little nutritional value (albeit keeps hunger at bay and shouldn’t be shamed for providing for the communities they serve) there are many that cook fresh food that is certainly healthier than a lot of UPF in the supermarkets. I’m not suggesting those deepest in poverty are choosing deep-fried fish & chips, falafel or Turkish grilled kebabs, but that putting all fast food in the same boat isn’t helpful. Many ‘fast food’ outlets are small, independently owned and deserve a place in our communities more than big corporations that are largely driven by the goal of maximizing profits and shareholder value. If customers have more money in their pockets maybe they, in turn, can improve the quality of ingredients and introduce ‘healthier’ options if this isn’t something they’re already doing. A UBI might encourage home cooks and those with experience of diverse cuisines to the table. I’ve seen this myself through small grant funding which has allowed people passionate about their cuisine to test out pop up food ventures.

We also must acknowledge that people might like fried chicken or ultra-processed burgers, and they have the right to do so. A UBI is about empowering people to have choice, if that means continuing eating fried chicken or if it means introducing some fresh fruit into their diets, so be it. Education is important (I’ll come onto this) but penalising people for the foods they sometimes like and want isn’t. We must also recognise health and wellbeing in its most holistic way. When food gives someone pleasure (especially when living in poverty but maybe as they’re lifted out still) then you could argue that it’s good for their mental health and wellbeing.

I’m somewhat baffled by the report’s views on plant-based milk whilst at the same time coming down heavily on UPFs. Aren’t they one and the same? I agree that industrial agriculture is damaging to the planet, but supporting British dairy farmers shouldn’t be taboo. I’ve worked in some of the most deprived areas of the UK and many people drink dairy milk in their brew. It feels like a very middle-class, uninformed view of the lived experience and food choices of the many. A transition to smaller scale local food production could also have beneficial effects on the climate. A UBI could support smaller scale producers and encourage a thriving local food economy. However, I do understand that there are people struggling with the cost of food who are either vegan, have a food intolerance or choose not to consume dairy. Of course, they should be able to afford plant-based alternatives and a UBI could remove this barrier.

While people must be given the agency to make their own food choices this doesn’t mean education isn’t important. Rather than push for further regulation on what people can or can’t buy, I’d like the government to commit to free school meals for all, a total reform of school food provision and a commitment to food being an important part of the curriculum to make children value good food, eating and cooking together with parity. This is how we can support future generations to transition to not only a healthier diet but create a position of being informed and empowered on their choices.

It's time we introduce a UBI to ‘nourish’ our nation, not just through what they eat but to feel they can grow and live the way they wish. Whether that be through having time to set up a community garden, buy some locally reared meat from a local butcher rather than a supermarket, have the time and mental strength to be an activist or campaigner (change deserves to come from the bottom up but poverty hinders this), join a local gym or take a trip to somewhere once unaffordable, or maybe you just want another piece of fried chicken?

There’s so much more I could say on this, but I hope this provides some food for thought.

Put money in people’s pockets and let them decide.