(Photograph) - To the amateur economist this colossal pile of apples is a dreadful waste in a hungry world, but “experts” tell us it is a necessity. Children may have their own views on the economics (and ethics) involved. And do they know anything about the apple itself?
Economics
Why are thousands of tonnes of good apples being junked? (part of the common agricultural policy, aimed at keeping farming viable.) What is “economics”? (social science that analyses the production, distribution, and consumption of wealth?) What does this definition mean? (discuss terms such as “supply and demand” in concrete terms. what would happen to prices and profits if there were too many or too few pairs of trainers?) Should there be a “free market” (less efficient farmers go bust), or should a government or the European Union fix prices, determine quotas? What about foot and mouth disease: does the government say “tough luck, it’s a market”, or compensate farmers to keep them in business?
Apples
Do you buy any apples (the red ones, the biggest), or do you have favourites (golden delicious, Granny Smith, braeburn, Cox’s)? What are the differences between apples? (cookers and eaters, firmness, skin, colour.) What can be done with apples? (Apple juice, cider, vinegar, jam or jelly, puree, Calvados, apple pie or flan, rich source of vitamins A and C and fibre.) Who was Johnny Appleseed? (An amazing American called John Chapman who collected apple seeds from cider presses and gave away or sold thousands throughout the Midwest in the early 19th century.)
Bureaucracy
People moan about bureaucracy, but what is it? (The organisation and paperwork of society.) Which features are good? (Helps organise things that could be chaotic, eg health records.) and bad? (gets in the way if overdone.) What sort of bureaucracy is there in a school? (not too much therapy, please!)
Writing
(a) Write a short poem, starting “Apples, apples everywhere, piled up to the skyI”, or a limerick (“There once was a fellow called TrippWho stacked tonnes of fruit in a tipI”) (b) describe a possible use for this apple mountain (make gallons of cider, tonnes of apple sauce, slide down it)(c) think of kinds of words that describe reactions to the picture (“rich and fruity”, “unexpected”, “a sea of colour and shape”, “shocking”, “monstrous waste”).
Talking points
This apple mountain should be given away to European schoolchildren free.
For
It is a criminal waste to dump thousands of tons of nourishing fruit. Growing children need vitamin C and doctors recommend apples as a valuable source. Some children do not get enough fruit and fibre in their diet, so it would be both beneficial and educational. The growers would be doing good for society.
Against
Dumping this mountain of fruit may appear wasteful, but it is a necessary, if complex, part of modern economics, to keep farming viable. Most European families do eat apples, so any free gifts should go to poor countries where there is serious undernourishment, especially among growing children.
Ted Wragg is professor of education at Exeter University
