SAVING THE FOOD OF THE NATION.
[To ran EDITOR OP THE " SPECTATOR."] Slit,—At a time when national economy is being universally preached, and the urgent necessity for it universally admitted, we make no apology for asking you for a little space in which to draw your readers' attention to a scheme for the prevention of waste of the nation's food resources which has been organized by•the " National Food Economy League " (formerly the Education Branch of the National Food Fund).
Broadly stated, the aim of the League is to conduct an educational campaign throughout the country in order to spread as widely as possible really practical knowledge of the true principles of household economy in buying, cooking, and using food. The scheme, which has been in practical operation since last April, is carried out by means of specially prepared literature, and by demonstration lectures given by the League's highly qualified teachers. The publications include a Hand- book for Housewives (forty pages) at ld., a leaflet entitled Housekeeping on 258. a Week and Under, and a large coloured picture-card of food values especially designed for children. The syllabuses of the classes are arranged on a carefully thought-out educational plan, the aim of which is not to give instruction in cookery as such, but instruction in the soientifio principles and methods by whi h the greatest possible economy in the use of ordinary foodstuffs, consistent with the main- tenance of health and efficiency, may be secured. It should be mentioned that the League is working in close touch with sunny local education authorities, besides other bodies, such as the National Health Society and the Charity Organization Society.
A most encouraging success has mot the efforts of the League up to the present. The publications which began by selling in tens now go out by tens of thousands, and the demand for the teachers is becoming urgent; so much so that a severe strain is now being thrown on the organization, which must soon receive greatly increased support if it is to be placed in a position to expand its work in response to the enormously increasing calls made upon it. While the League was still a branch of the National Food Fund it could claim a share of the money received by that Association, but now, both organizations having become so big that it was found necessary for them to work separately, the National Food Economy League is obliged to make an appeal of its own. We therefore ask all who are interested iu the work to support it in one or more of the following ways : (1) by buying the literature and helping to circulate it ; (2) by sending a dona- tion, large or small, towards the heavy expenses of the organization; (3) by organizing classes to which the National Food Economy League would send teachers.—We are, Sir, dm, CHRISTOPHER TURNOR, President and Chairman of Committee. SYBIL DE V. BRASSEY, lion. Treasurer. Jima 0, CHANCE, Hon. Organizer. National Food Economy League, 8 Woodstock Street, Oxford Street, W.
[We trust this good work will obtain adequate support. If the nation could as a whole be taught not to waste its food, we should stand to gain an annual suns which would pay half the interest on the new War Loan.—ED. Spectator.]
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