Glastonbury food with pictures

[Dog Burger]

Of course I was taking your point to the extreme, just as comparing what most people experience at the festival with the 3rd world's daily conditions is an extreme.

There is a school for thought that we all need to pay more for our food and then we may actually start to get food instead of highly processed so-called food (made up almost wholly of over refined grains, corn fructose and soy beans) littering every shelf of our supermarkets. In Defence Of Food is an excellent read on that subject.

I never made such a comparison, nor would I. I merely pointed out, while not seeking to dictate to anyone else what is or isn't acceptable, that I don't like the idea of such an indulgent, luxury offer at a festival which is so strongly rooted in socialist values and beliefs. Similarly, I don't like the idea of the luxury accommodation available on the fringes of the festival, with VIP tickets. I get on very well with a woman at work who used such a service last year and paid £1,500 for the privilege. I have nothing against her, but it's something which I find a little saddening.

[Langdale Wolf]

Succinct and accurate!

It's a bit like sleeping in Camp Kerala. You could have a shower every night then sleep in a clean double bed with fresh linen and room service. But for me, it would ruin the festival experience.

My wife would only think about a return to Glasto if we got tickets for Camp Kerala. But I take your point. I'd feel really bad about being pampered in such luxury..... Well, possibly....... For a moment at least........

[jameshunt]

I never made such a comparison, nor would I. I merely pointed out, while not seeking to dictate to anyone else what is or isn't acceptable, that I don't like the idea of such an indulgent, luxury offer at a festival which is so strongly rooted in socialist values and beliefs. Similarly, I don't like the idea of the luxury accommodation available on the fringes of the festival, with VIP tickets. I get on very well with a woman at work who used such a service last year and paid £1,500 for the privilege. I have nothing against her, but it's something which I find a little saddening.

By association, the point was there. I just short-circuited the logic to make a point.

"Expensive high-end food on sale to those who can afford it against the backdrop of the festival's history of campaigning for social justice, supporting the underdog and not wasting water or resources, while supporting charities who work almost exclusively in the developing world, where starvation is an issue for millions, such as Water Aid and Oxfam."

The stall, restaurant or cafe selling food pays for their slot (which contributes to Glastonbury Festival's income and therefore to said charitable donations). Whether they sell mass-produced burgers that help destroy our planet (vast swathes of single variety wheat fields grown in almost nutritionally dead soil, save for the 3 that artificial fertilisers put back in, used to both feed the cattle and make the burger buns) or more expensive produce farmed in a more traditional ecosystem that is sustainable. I know which I prefer. Yes, good food is more expensive (in terms of money) to produce. That is something the west is going to have to get used to.

But this also comes down to freedom of choice at the festival. So what should be the cut off in terms of foods and prices offered? Some people can't afford the £5 to £8 or so average price for a main meal two or three times a day. Should all meals be dumbed down to the lowest common denominator? If £5 is too much for every meal for any one person in particular should the price limit (and quality and diversity) be set lower?

[Dog Burger]

By association, the point was there. I just short-circuited the logic to make a point.

"Expensive high-end food on sale to those who can afford it against the backdrop of the festival's history of campaigning for social justice, supporting the underdog and not wasting water or resources, while supporting charities who work almost exclusively in the developing world, where starvation is an issue for millions, such as Water Aid and Oxfam."

The stall, restaurant or cafe selling food pays for their slot (which contributes to Glastonbury Festival's income and therefore to said charitable donations). Whether they sell mass-produced burgers that help destroy our planet (vast swathes of single variety wheat fields grown in almost nutritionally dead soil, save for the 3 that artificial fertilisers put back in, used to both feed the cattle and make the burger buns) or more expensive produce farmed in a more traditional ecosystem that is sustainable. I know which I prefer. Yes, good food is more expensive (in terms of money) to produce. That is something the west is going to have to get used to.

But this also comes down to freedom of choice at the festival. So what should be the cut off in terms of foods and prices offered? Some people can't afford the £5 to £8 or so average price for a main meal two or three times a day. Should all meals be dumbed down to the lowest common denominator? If £5 is too much for every meal for any one person in particular should the price limit (and quality and diversity) be set lower?

I don't actually agree with the correlation between lowering price and "dumbing down" of food. I'm a vegetarian, I avoid mass produce or processed food wherever possible, grow my own veg and eat as cheaply as possible, as my family don't have very much money to get by on, but I always eat well and have no problem with that. Fresh fruit and vegetables and well-thought-out, well prepared food is essential to me at home and it's what I seek out at a festival, as long as it's affordable.

I understand what you're saying and agree with a lot of it. The point I was trying to make, I suppose, is that I don't personally like the way a number of recent and semi-recent innovations and developments at the festival are being packaged. The luxury, "doing it in style", who cares what it costs let's be hedonistic, type of marketing.

The demographic at the festival has been on the shift for a while now, but the deliberate marketing of it as a luxury, high-end event, is the thing I find disheartening and at odds with what it is (used to?) be about to so many.

[jameshunt]

I don't actually agree with the correlation between lowering price and "dumbing down" of food. I'm a vegetarian, I avoid mass produce or processed food wherever possible, grow my own veg and eat as cheaply as possible, as my family don't have very much money to get by on, but I always eat well and have no problem with that. Fresh fruit and vegetables and well-thought-out, well prepared food is essential to me at home and it's what I seek out at a festival, as long as it's affordable.

I understand what you're saying and agree with a lot of it. The point I was trying to make, I suppose, is that I don't personally like the way a number of recent and semi-recent innovations and developments at the festival are being packaged. The luxury, "doing it in style", who cares what it costs let's be hedonistic, type of marketing.

The demographic at the festival has been on the shift for a while now, but the deliberate marketing of it as a luxury, high-end event, is the thing I find disheartening and at odds with what it is (used to?) be about to so many.

It's very much related. Industrial food production both reduces prices and dumbs down food. Simply compare extremes to see that. Organic produce is far more expensive to produce (and contains more nutrients, both those identified by science to be beneficial and a whole host of secondary nutrients that science has not fully identified) compared with genetically modified crops.

Yield of wheat per acre has tripled in my lifetime. Why is that? It is because industrial farms concentrate on profit per square foot of land, irrespective of the quality of produce, damage to land, waterways and the ocean etc.

I can see an idealogical dislike of hedonism at Glastonbury and personally would never waste my time or money at one of the luxury camps. But paying good money for excellent food? If I can afford it then for me that's a different matter entirely.

[worthyraver]

For gods sake somebody post a picture of burger or something.

[padders]

It's very much related. Industrial food production both reduces prices and dumbs down food. Simply compare extremes to see that. Organic produce is far more expensive to produce (and contains more nutrients, both those identified by science to be beneficial and a whole host of secondary nutrients that science has not fully identified) compared with genetically modified crops.

Yield of wheat per acre has tripled in my lifetime. Why is that? It is because industrial farms concentrate on profit per square foot of land, irrespective of the quality of produce, damage to land, waterways and the ocean etc.

I can see an idealogical dislike of hedonism at Glastonbury and personally would never waste my time or money at one of the luxury camps. But paying good money for excellent food? If I can afford it then for me that's a different matter entirely.

I'd be interested to hear Mike99's take on this topic

[ukslim]

I don't actually agree with the correlation between lowering price and "dumbing down" of food.

Have you compared the bland taste of Asda's salads, with proper salads from a proper greengrocer?

*Up to a point*, you pay more, you get better food.

[Dog Burger]

Have you compared the bland taste of Asda's salads, with proper salads from a proper greengrocer?

*Up to a point*, you pay more, you get better food.

I wasn't arguing that, and of course that's true. I was simply saying that producing food on a budget doesn't have to mean dumbing down food. I take pride in putting together healthy, nutritious meals for my girlfriend, son and I, without spending very much money. I resent the suggestion that people on lower incomes have to eat mass produced, processed junk. And even if I could afford to spend a lot on food, I wouldn't spend it in high-class restaurants on decadent food, fois gras, veal cheaks and truffles at £50 a pop, because I'd find it distasteful to piss that sort of money up the wall on food and sit there contentedly patting my belly when swathes of people can afford so little. That's only my view. One man's meat is another man's poison and all that.

Edited April 27, 2010 by Dog Burger

[mike99]

I think if you can afford it and fancey giving it a go it up to you. Its not like i will be having it all the time im only going once just to chill out and relax and doing it on the Wedneday so hopefully it should be nice. I understand everyone slating it but seems quite nice for a one off. I may eat my words after i have been.

[jameshunt]

I wasn't arguing that, and of course that's true. I was simply saying that producing food on a budget doesn't have to mean dumbing down food. I take pride in putting together healthy, nutritious meals for my girlfriend, son and I, without spending very much money. I resent the suggestion that people on lower incomes have to eat mass produced, processed junk.

No. They just think they have to. Sadly the majority do. Even if they buy wholefoods the majority on a tight budget usually buy nutritionally inferior mass produced produce. There needs to be a sea change in the way most people in the US and UK think about food and prioritise it, or rather don't, in their lives.

edit: typo

Edited April 27, 2010 by jameshunt

[mozzy]

Of course I was taking your point to the extreme, just as comparing what most people experience at the festival with the 3rd world's daily conditions is an extreme.

There is a school for thought that we all need to pay more for our food and then we may actually start to get food instead of highly processed so-called food (made up almost wholly of over refined grains, corn fructose and soy beans) littering every shelf of our supermarkets. In Defence Of Food is an excellent read on that subject.

Does indeed look an interesting read, have duly ordered a copy. Thanks for the tip.

[swede]

My god, even one of my favourite topics has been taken over by arguing dickheads, cant we have anything without it turning into a rant between a couple of over opinionated arseholes

Id seen the topic bumped up expecting to see some new pictures or people recommending some places to eat, boy was I wrong

Edited April 27, 2010 by swede

[jameshunt]

Does indeed look an interesting read, have duly ordered a copy. Thanks for the tip.

No worries. It has changed my life. I thought we were eating a fairly healthy diet before, but it wasn't the whole story.

[Dog Burger]

My god, even one of my favourite topics has been taken over by arguing dickheads, cant we have anything without it turning into a rant between a couple of over opinionated arseholes

Id seen the topic bumped up expecting to see some new pictures or people recommending some places to eat, boy was I wrong

That's a bit over the top isn't it?

If being passionate about Glastonbury's ethos, roots and belief system, or in James' case looking after your body and living in a way that minimises harm to the planet is being an over-opionated arsehole then it's a sad world we live in.

[swede]

That's a bit over the top isn't it?

If being passionate about Glastonbury's ethos, roots and belief system, or in James' case looking after your body and living in a way that minimises harm to the planet is being an over-opionated arsehole then it's a sad world we live in.

I thought the wink and laughing face might have hinted at my sarcasm, obviously not

People just love anything to sink their teeth in and bite on

[worthyraver]

That's a bit over the top isn't it?

If being passionate about Glastonbury's ethos, roots and belief system, or in James' case looking after your body and living in a way that minimises harm to the planet is being an over-opionated arsehole then it's a sad world we live in.

I thought the wink and laughing face might have hinted at my sarcasm, obviously not

People just love anything to sink their teeth in and bite on

Brilliant he was so into his rant, did not really read your post, well he read it, but did not get the tone of it at all.

Picture of a burger anyone?

[jameshunt]

Brilliant he was so into his rant, did not really read your post, well he read it, but did not get the tone of it at all.

Picture of a burger anyone?

Rant? You were so into getting your reply sent that you obviously didn't read his post. Well you might have read it, but did not get the tone of it at all.

[worthyraver]

Rant? You were so into getting your reply sent that you obviously didn't read his post. Well you might have read it, but did not get the tone of it at all.

Hook, line, sinker, rod and copy of Angling Times.

Sometimes it is just too easy.

:P

[jameshunt]

Hook, line, sinker, rod and copy of Angling Times.

Sometimes it is just too easy.

:P

I probably should have resisted but....

[ukslim]

My wife would only think about a return to Glasto if we got tickets for Camp Kerala.

Which could mean Glasto is not for her.

<shrug>

[mandypants]

Can anyone answer my question about the free food at the Krishna tent?

[StoneCircle]

Can anyone answer my question about the free food at the Krishna tent?

There are loads of threads if you do a search, here is one to be going on with.

http://www.efestivals.co.uk/forums/index.p...&hl=Krishna

[MEGABOWL]

I'd be interested to hear Mike99's take on this topic

He would most likely confirm that, yes, there will be food at Glastonbury this year

[LusciousLucy]

So...who's coming to be served posh crumpets by me and my fellow Strumpets in C market???

Got the call I've been waiting week and weeks for today! Woohoo! Cant bloody wait. Working with them the entire summer at numerous festies.