Be wary of the big food chains 'indiewashing' their marketing
+ turning tides, takeaway beer, and climate labelling
Nice Pear: a weekly(ish) feminist foodletter | Issue #012 | 08 November September 2020
Hello!
As I sit here writing this letter on Saturday afternoon, I got the news notification - the US election has been called for Biden/Harris. I don’t think I’ve felt this relaxed upon opening a news app notification since 2016.
Maybe this result doesn’t directly affect the UK - and the fact that the win was by such a narrow margin shows how much further we still have to go - but today I’m starting to feel like maybe the tides are turning?
There is no essay this week., as bigger stories (think: US election and the new UK lockdown/furlough) have been consuming much of our collective consciousness. Like many others, I’ve found much of my spare energy consumed by the news cycle - and by trying to switch off from the news cycle.
As well as being back in lockdown here in the UK, my husband and I are on an 8-day track & trace isolation, so we can’t even leave the house for walks or grocery shopping.
I guess that should mean I had more writing time than ever. Somehow though, after spending all day at my desk doing my actual job, and with even less delineation between daytime and evening, I haven’t been in a place to anything more than the essentials.
Scroll on down for The Links ⬇️
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Things to read this week
Don’t fall for the twee friendliness/ faux call-to-arms of Burger King’s PR department encouraging you to order a McDonald’s.
Yes, we need to support the hospitality sector, but calling Burger King, McDonald’s KFC, Subway, Domino’s (or any of the other chains namechecked in the post) an ‘independent food outlet’ is like calling Wetherspoons a ‘local pub’, or Tesco Metro a ‘corner shop’.
It may be technically true (in that there is no legal definition of ‘independent business’), but when we are all so focussed on supporting small/local/indie businesses, international corporations with multi-millionaire CEOs referring to themselves as ‘independent’ and in need of community support during the pandemic feels like the equivalent of greenwashing - ‘indiewashing’, maybe?
Either way, patronising your (actually local, actually independant) restaurants and shops where you can is a much better way to support workers and businesses owners in the community.
Some rules have been clarified in the UK’s lockdown 2.0, including confirmation that pubs can sell takeaway beer 🍻
In vegan(ish) news: Calls for ‘climate labelling’ and taxation on meat and other foods that have a high environmental impact 🌱
The wholesome food content we need (even if it is very much not vegan) 🧀⛲
Things to eat this week
I highly recommend stress-baking as a coping mechanism. It feels productive and creative, without being work. It keeps your hands working and your mind busy (and more importantly, unable to doomscroll). And of course, there's the bonus of cake or biscuits at the end. Try Minimalist Baker’s one-bowl gluten-free & vegan chocolate cake, this vegan cheesecake from NoraCooks or my own peanut caramel blondies.
It’s also been bonfire night, so I would suggest: Jacket potato & chilli or pie & peas, followed by a toffee apple
Where to find me this week
The only new thing I’ve published this week is the next in my series on free-from baking on EatsLeeds: a Q&A guide to baking powder, bicarbonate of soda and baking soda (hint: two of those are the exact same thing).
I sent out 3 pitches this week and got 2 rejections and no comissions (yet).
As always, you can find me @ZoePickburn on Twiter, Instagram, and other social media.
Thanks!
Zoe
Freelance writer & journo | Food blogger & newsletterer (she/her)
Say hello@zoepickburn.com with stories, commissions & foodie chit chat