More Cheese Needs to Be Eaten in France

Look, we do genuinely want to stay fit and healthy during coronavirus times and pay a little attention to everything delicious we’re stuffing down, but when we’re also literally asked to eat more French cheese, we’re obviously not going to be the spoilsports…

Alone in a Barn

Many European countries have been struggling with food surpluses since the coronavirus crisis. Since the ‘old-style’ hospitality industry has been virtually shut down, producers and suppliers have been dealing with a drastically reduced market. However incredibly creative many entrepreneurs are proving to be, a great deal of food is being left to rot. That is serious, and several campaigns have already been launched to encourage populations to consume plenty of one thing or another, especially now.

Cheese Along

In the Netherlands (just as in Belgium), we are being encouraged to eat lots of fries to help get rid of our surplus of a billion kilos of potatoes intended for fries since the hospitality industry closed. No problem—my family is happy to contribute. In France, unsurprisingly, it’s all about cheese. Dairy sectors united in the Terre de Lait organization have launched the hashtag #Fromagissons, a clever combination of fromage (cheese) and agissons (let’s act).

Eating for a Good Cause

Now that food markets look completely different, many cheesemakers have had to close their doors (hopefully only temporarily), and consumers are also being cautious about buying ‘luxury’ groceries because of an uncertain future, producers can’t give away their precious traditional cheeses. This initiative by Terre de Lait is intended to encourage the French to continue supporting their heritage, and to responsibly indulge in Camembert, Reblochon, Cantal—everything the country has to offer in the way of wonderful cheeses. And in the Netherlands, you can of course help too by buying a French cheese from your cheesemonger! No hardship, right?

Patriot(cheese)ic

Not only in France but also in England, a patron saint of national cheeses has emerged: Jamie Oliver has been reaching millions of people on Instagram for several weeks with his ‘Save our British Farmhouse Cheeses’ campaign. In a video, he explains how consumers can directly help ensure the survival of artisan food producers, such as cheesemakers. Know that this applies to us in the Netherlands one-to-one as well! We have equally wonderful initiatives, such as supportyourlocalsnl, and fantastic routes where you can buy all kinds of goodies from farmers yourself.

In short, enjoying food for a good cause while supporting local food producers: as far as we’re concerned, it doesn’t get better than that!

Also read:

• 4x drinks boxes for an e-drinks get-together
• Coronavirus crisis: two-thirds of the hospitality industry won’t make it, according to KHN
• First aid for cheese emergencies