Writing -- Baby Talk: Food glorious food!

The following article featured in a weekly column on parenting in the Women on Wednesday supplement of The Evening Echo, one of Ireland's leading regional daily newspapers. It appeared in the 19 January 2005 issue.

The twins are going through one of their "I don't like this" and "I want only that" stages at present. It doesn't matter what we do, they only ever seem to finish their meals when we serve up their particular favourite - something that changes on a practically daily basis.

Its frustrating, because you know if they don't eat properly at lunchtime that they'll be whining for snacks all afternoon, and if they don't eat properly at dinnertime you're going to get the "but I'm still hungry" line at bedtime. You don't want them to go hungry, of course, but at the same time pandering to their fickle demands isn't necessarily a good idea either. That way lies a lifetime of fussy eating. I think its important to encourage children to be open minded about food - particularly in view of the food revolution that's currently gaining momentum in Ireland.

While it's true that life in the Ireland of today is becoming ever more hectic, and that we've all been caught up in the epidemic of fast and convenience foods that's sweeping across the western world, there is also a growing awareness that things don't have to be that way. Irish tastes are changing: we are starting to demand more from our food. With food-related problems like child obesity hitting the headlines on a regular basis people across the country, particularly parents, are starting to care about what goes into the food that they buy and where it comes from.

And with Cork leading the way in Ireland's gastronomic renaissance you don't have to look far to find truly excellent local produce that will knock spots off the additive-laden, homogenised junk that fills our supermarket shelves. While it may work out a little more expensive to buy high quality locally produced food, you know exactly what you're getting for your money and where and how it was produced. Ultimately it represents better value for money.

County Cork provides some of the best in Irish artisan foods, and is gaining an international reputation for its outstanding cheeses, superb fresh and smoked fish, meats and a range of organic produce that's second to none. You only have to take a walk around the various stalls in the Old English Market in Cork city centre, or visit one of the many farmers' markets that are springing up around the county to see the wonderful diversity of local food and to sample some of the delights on offer.

While elements of our convenience culture will inevitably endure, as we become more aware of the choices available on our own doorstep our food buying habits are changing. The weekly shop at the supermarket will still figure prominently, but for an ever increasing number of us it will be supplemented by a visit to the local farmers' market.

As a parent I firmly believe that what we feed our children now has a massive impact on their attitude to food in the future. While I have no doubt that the occasional trip to a fast food outlet and the odd plate of sausage and chips will figure in the girls' diet as they grow up, they'll be exposed to a wide a range of good, home cooked food as well.

We're laying the foundation now that will allow the girls' to make intelligent choices about their food as they get older. At the end of the day good food simply tastes better… and if they're exposed to it I believe children soon realise that for themselves.