Fast food nation: the sequel

As recession bites, fast food chains' profits are rising. But does that mean our cooking standards must fall?
Domino's pizza
Domino's pizza, the credit crunch dinner. Photograph: Linda Nylind


Today's announcement from Domino's Pizza (three of the little darlings for just £5.99 is the latest offering that will appeal to hard-up families), that its profits grew almost a quarter in 2008, is the latest in a torrent of remarkably upbeat results from the sector. Fast food restaurants are on a roll, it seems. Last week the chicken outlet KFC announced a major expansion drive. And coffee chains are also feeling the pinch. Today in the US, Starbucks launches a new brand of instant coffee to replace the more expensive versions made with fresh coffee beans.

So while the rest of the high street struggles for survival, fast food chains must be lickin' their lips as they enjoy a new surge in popularity. It's too horrible to think about. Is this a minor blip or are we really ditching our standards and reverting to a nation addicted to fast food?

There are moves which appear to buck the trend. Later this week Britain's largest land-owner, the National Trust, will unveil an initiative to free up more of its land for use as allotments. With 100,000 potentially green-fingered gardeners on council waiting lists, that move won't come too soon for those wanting to save money by growing their own veg and fruit.

And for those without the confidence or flair to cook from scratch, initiatives like Sainsbury's 'Feed the Family for a Fiver' show that it is indeed possible to cook a good, nutritious supper without breaking the bank.

So can we redeem ourselves? Or as victims of the credit crunch, are we a lost cause to a new-style fast food nation? Has the recession irrevocably altered your own cooking and eating habits?

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