Mushrooms and vegetables will be a crucial part of our future meals - Pexels
Agriculture and food production is top of mind these days, and it does impact on what we cook and eat.
You only realise it when it really impacts, but food security is a reality and so is the environmental impact of what we choose to eat.
The egg shortages in South Africa last year due to the avian flu outbreak was just one example. Not only were chicken and eggs scarce, they became pricier.
The listeriosis outbreak also brought home the reality of food safety and with polony off the shelves, people scrambled for other protein sources.
There are always alternatives, that can satisfy your hunger, like adding mushrooms to beef meat to create burger patties. Some of the solutions sound outrageous, but with the reality of food security it's something we must get used to. Mushrooms are also one of those magic ingredients that can grow in various conditions and still provide oodles of protein (and flavour) when you need it the most in dishes.
Vegetables are going to be crucial in the future. The humble carrot is just one example, it can be grown in sea water and fresh water — this kind of versatility is key in agriculture and for consumption.
Think about the key ingredients you buy regularly and if there are viable alternatives in the supermarket should you need to find one in a crisis.
This thought provoking video from We Can Save The World should give you more than a healthy dose of food for thought: