Baguette less popular

Popularity of the traditional baguette seems to be on the wane. 

According to The Telegraph, the French are less inclined to consume these days. 

While I'm a fairly gluten-free eater most of the time,

I do reserve the right to a few delectable hunks of baguette with my cheese when in France. 

And there's nothing like typical baguette street sandwiches made with

 fresh butter, fromage and jambon to be eaten on a park bench. 

I typically buy the Pain Cereale

for its healthier properties. 

But with cheese, it must be baguette. 

The French swear that they never snack between meals

but on every single day of the week, 

one can see them walking down the street, 

baguette under arm, top chunk missing and chewing vigorously.  

 It has just the right outer crunchiness and spongy interior 

to make it perfectly acceptable to be eaten alone. 

And its subtle taste leaves each rather-too-large slice of cheese

to be enjoyed in all its pure flavor

without being overpowered. 

France is beginning a national campaign 

(to help out those 26,000 boulangeries) 

similar to our milk industry's "Got milk?" campaign. 

So, if you suddenly have a strong desire

for some of that spongy goodness, 

someone is behind it. 

Go with it. 

Save the boulangerie! 

(Photo copyright: Kirsten Steen)