Luis Pacheco believes that “although there are very promising and original initiatives, they are not enough for a population where Spanish children have the highest obesity rate in the EU and where it is always those over the age of 50 who win the battle in terms of fruit and vegetable consumption.”
“Something is clearly wrong when young people continue to show little interest in fruit and vegetable consumption compared to processed foods,” says Pacheco.
The greengrocer is also a strong advocate of local and seasonal products, something younger generations can no longer distinguish because they can find melon in the middle of January. “They lack food culture and, without a doubt, we can say today that ultra-processed foods and their powerful advertising machinery have gained ground among young people, who prefer a cereal bar over any fruit or vegetable. There is also the false belief that fruit and vegetables are expensive, which is far from the truth.”
“I think that for younger people, health takes a back seat because youth itself implies good health, so they do not find the message attractive. However, once you are over 50, health becomes a central pillar in your life.”
Pacheco, a truly multifaceted man, has fruit and vegetables in his blood. Not surprisingly, he was born in the town of Villaconejos, known for the quality of its melons.
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The well-known trader will soon begin a new stage on EDATV Informa Radio, one of the fastest-growing national radio networks, led by Javier Negre and Marcos de Quintos. EDATV broadcasts in Argentina, the United States and Spain. The new programme will be called “Me gusta la fruta”.
His activity in the fruit and vegetable sector has been constant and, for 15 years, he was responsible for the Fruit and Vegetable Tunnel in the Workshop of the Senses at the Salón Gourmets. “Every day around 10 schools used to visit our stand. I think we carried out important outreach work.”
Politics has not been unfamiliar to him either. For four years, as an independent, he served as economic spokesperson for Ciudadanos in the Madrid Assembly.
