
bbc.com
Plum Wastage Predicted as Jam Makers Decline in Cambridgeshire
A 50% reduction in Cambridgeshire's Victorian plum crop due to extreme weather, coupled with a shortage of jam makers caused by rising ingredient costs and a decline in traditional skills, is leading to significant plum wastage.
- Why is there a decline in jam making, both commercially and domestically, in Cambridgeshire?
- The decline in jam making is attributed to the rising cost of living, making jam a luxury many can't afford. This impacts small businesses selling jam and discourages home production due to high ingredient costs. The lack of younger jam makers further exacerbates the issue, with farmers' markets struggling to find suppliers.
- What are the long-term implications of the decline in jam-making skills and what measures could be taken to address this?
- The shortage of jam makers highlights the vulnerability of the food system to economic shifts and changing consumer habits. The trend suggests a potential decline in traditional food preservation skills and a reliance on readily available commercial products, further impacting local fruit farmers. Initiatives promoting home jam making or affordable fruit sourcing could mitigate this.
- What is the impact of the reduced Victorian plum crop and the shortage of jam makers on Cambridgeshire's fruit farmers and the local economy?
- Extreme weather has reduced Cambridgeshire's Victorian plum crop by 50% this year, leading to a predicted large-scale plum wastage as jam makers, crucial for utilizing the surplus, are scarce. The rising cost of ingredients, including a 40% increase in jar prices over five years, deters both small-scale jam businesses and home jam making.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The headline and opening sentences immediately establish a problem—plum wastage—and focus on the plight of the fruit grower. While this is a valid concern, the framing emphasizes the negative aspects and potential loss more prominently than solutions or alternative perspectives. The article also mainly highlights the challenges jam-makers face instead of exploring the broader context of food production, distribution, and consumption.
Language Bias
The language used is largely neutral and factual. However, phrases like "don't seem to exist anymore" (referring to jam makers) carry a slightly negative connotation and could be replaced with more neutral terms like "are less prevalent." The description of plums as "not such good quality" could be more precise, perhaps specifying the nature of the quality issue.
Bias by Omission
The article focuses heavily on the challenges faced by jam makers and fruit growers, but omits potential solutions beyond encouraging home jam-making. Alternative solutions, such as government support for small businesses or changes to agricultural practices, are not explored. This limits the scope of solutions presented to the reader.
False Dichotomy
The article presents a somewhat false dichotomy between the cost of homemade jam versus store-bought jam, without considering the potential quality and taste differences that could justify the price difference for some consumers. It also doesn't consider other ways to acquire ingredients, like bartering or buying in bulk.
Gender Bias
While the article features several women involved in jam-making, there is no inherent gender bias. The focus is on their professional expertise and experiences, not on their gender. However, the inclusion of the Women's Institute might subtly reinforce traditional gender roles, although this is not a central theme.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article highlights the challenges faced by fruit growers due to reduced yields and lack of jam makers, leading to potential food waste. This reflects unsustainable consumption and production patterns, where the demand for homemade jam is declining due to rising costs and a lack of interest among younger generations. The situation points to a need for more sustainable practices in food production and consumption to reduce waste and promote local food systems.