Even as local enterprises like the Backyard Cafe with its market tours and fresh-cooked meals, and the Pandama Retreat with its ‘Luv in a Calabash’ and fruit wines among others, go all out to foster food culture and promote food tourism, Guyanese palates are constantly being lured by foreign fast-food franchises. These famous outlets, known for loading up their products with excessive sugar, salt, fat and preservatives are springing up all around this country. They are more than eagerly welcomed by citizens as evidenced by the unforgettable stampede of customers in December 2017 when one such store opened.
With Guyana having already rolled out the red carpet for KFC, Pizza Hut, Church’s Chicken, Popeyes, and Burger King franchises to name a few, it was confirmed earlier this month that a Cinnabon eatery is to be opened in the Giftland Mall at Turkeyen, Georgetown. Furthermore, according to a report published in this newspaper on Sunday, Trinidad and Tobago conglomerate Agostini Limited will soon open a Starbucks store in the Amazonia Mall at Providence, East Bank Demerara. More than that, it has given a commitment to open another six Starbucks locations over the next two and a half years.
Fortunately, as also reported by this publication on December 4, the Sheriff Group, led by Sheriff Ahmad is soon to open a multi million-US-dollar hospital at Leonora, West Demerara. Clearly, a huge boost in the provision of healthcare will soon become necessary. Perhaps some enterprising entrepreneur might also want to look into the feasibility of setting up a fat farm (or weight-loss camp to be politically correct) in the near future. Especially since a proposed government policy to tackle non-communicable diseases via sports has so far failed to come to fruition.
While both of the new undertakings referred to above fall in the realm of the private sector one cannot fail to notice that they are at odds with the government’s mandate and commitment to reduce the nation’s food import bill as well as its ‘buy more local’ promotion. As also referred to above, there is also the health factor to be considered, but does anyone really care? The answer is a resounding no because it’s all about the money.
If a per capita comparison were done, it would likely show that Guyana, with its population of less than 800,000 people has a disproportionate amount of food stores (this includes restaurants, stalls and kiosks). The question one might ask then is whether there is room for more food businesses to operate successfully. Obviously there is.
Undoubtedly, the fast-food franchises flocking to this dear land of ours have done their feasibility studies and other homework. A huge part of it is that food, presented attractively, sells. Of course locals want to experience the delicious-looking items they have so far only seen being enjoyed by happy people in commercials on television. The problems arise when that moves from a one-off experience, or a once in a while cheat, to become a habit. Fast-food businesses are counting on that; it is what will ensure their longevity, though not necessarily their customers’.
To be clear, this is far from an attempt to preach or dictate what any individual’s diet ought to be. Instead, it seeks to shed light on the big picture and the long-term effects of inculcating poor habits. To that end, there are a few salient points that must be made. Fast food will always be the more expensive option, both financially and health wise. The average family meal, prepared at home, would cost half or less than what has to be doled out in a restaurant. In addition, the over-processed fast-food items that appear so luscious on billboard ads contain a staggering amount of sugar, salt and preservatives that do the body no good.
Obesity, along with lifestyle diseases like hypertension, diabetes and cardiac disorders are usually the result. These, in turn, are a financial strain on families and the country’s health systems as well. That being said, the biggest downer is citizens eschewing fresh local products that have been grown or reared right here, for foods with little or zero nutritional value. In the long run, farmers, the economy and the people all suffer though in different ways. It’s a vicious cycle.
Finally, while the proponents of ‘fast everything’ might want to argue that these franchises are creating jobs, it must be acknowledged that these would be low-paying and transient at best. They might also dare to call these developments progress; they would be wrong. Rank consumerism is not progress, particularly when it does not benefit the nation as a whole. It’s something people might want to think about while they anticipate enjoying sticky cinnamon flavoured rolls and caramel lattes in the near future.
