In many countries, more and more people choose to buy imported food rather than food produced locally. Why do people buy imported food? What could be done to encourage people to buy local food?
In this day and age, individuals are increasingly purchasing imported food rather than local ones. In this essay, I will explain the reasons behind this trend and propose some measures that prompt citizens to buy their local food.
One major reason for the growing popularity of foreign food is the force of globalization. In today’s interconnected world, individuals can effortlessly access foreign culinary practices through advancements in communication technology and media. As a result, people can easily travel between countries and explore local cuisines in each without any barriers in commuting. Another contributing factor to this trend is the foreign-worship mentality that happens among people. Many of them aspire to emulate the lifestyles of individuals from more economically developed countries, perceiving their products, including food items, as synonymous with superior quality. This mindset often results in a devaluation of local culinary traditions, which are subsequently relegated to the background. For example, Vietnamese youth have increasingly gravitated towards American fast food options, such as hamburgers or fried chicken, often overlooking their traditional dishes such as Banh beo and Quang noodles.
Conversely, there are various strategies that can be adopted to counter this preference for foreign cuisine. First, it is vital for restaurants and shops to lower their product costs or give more discounts, making them more appealing to customers. Therefore, customers coming from different backgrounds have enough purchasing power to source those foods, especially people with low to middle level of income. Another effective approach would be to cultivate an appreciation for local food among younger generations while simultaneously reducing the advertising of imported goods. In this context, governments should promote traditional culinary practices, thus enhancing their intrinsic value and raising awareness both domestically and internationally. For instance, by highlighting distinctive Vietnamese dishes such as Pho, Banh Mi, and Chung cake, the local food culture is not only undermined by oversea food, but also attracts foreign tourists who are eager to experience authentic local flavors.
In conclusion, the inclination towards imported goods can be attributed to globalization and the blind worship of foreign things. To effectively address this trend, it is essential to elevate the status of local dishes through education, promotion and cutting down the price.