Eat like the World depends on it

by Angela McLaughlin, Sustainable NI

Addressing sustainability issues is now more important than ever as the significance of climate change becomes more evident and our role in tackling it is recognised. One of the most significant ways each of us impacts upon our environment, both at home and abroad, is through the food we eat. By making informed choices we can significantly decrease the amount of energy and natural resources used to produce our food, support local growers and ensure that people abroad are paid a fair wage for their labour and produce. Probably the best part of looking carefully at the food we eat is the direct benefits to our own and our family’s health.

Food makes up the largest part of our Ecological Footprint; the impact that human activities have upon the planet as measured at an individual country or global level. In the UK our food consumption accounts for a quarter of our total Ecological Footprint. As a community group and business you not only have direct impacts through the food you buy within your company (fair trade goods, healthy options) but also by raising the awareness and knowledge levels of your employees and community.

We as consumers CAN influence what supermarkets supply. We must make sure that supermarkets are responding to us, the consumers, not forcing us to buy things we do not want through limiting our choices.

Organic Food

Organic food is grown without the use of chemicals and pesticides. Therefore, compared to more typical farm practices, it does not pose the same threat of run-off that can result in the contamination of watersheds and drinking water. In addition, organic and other low-input forms of farming consume up to 20% less fossil energy in production and typically support higher levels of wildlife on farms.

Making the switch to organic food...

• Don't feel that you must buy organic everything - even switching to a few organic regulars makes a difference.
• There is an organic version of almost every food you can think of, from coffee to baked beans, pizzas to eggs. All supermarkets stock organic goods, although it is better to buy from local shops or farmers' markets if you can.
• Purchasing local organic produce where possible will eliminate the food miles associated with imported organic foods.

Locally produced food

Although we could meet over 70% of our eating needs locally, half of the food consumed in the UK is imported. More frustrating is the great quantity of food being moved between countries when the export levels are similar to the import levels. For example, the UK imports up to 17,200t of chocolate covered waffles each year yet at the same time it exports over 17,600t!

Did you know that:

• More energy is used in packaging many foods than in the food itself?
• The amount of fresh produce being air-freighted has more than trebled in the past 20 years?

To reduce the environmental burden of freight, buy local produce. If you buy from your nearest farmers’ market this will also help to support local jobs and create a sense of local community, reduce the number of trucks on the road and help to save our planet.

Seasonal

Did you know that each tonne of strawberries flown to the UK from the Middle East releases more than 4.5 tonnes of CO₂ – the principal cause of climate change? However the same amount of strawberries produced and delivered locally in season will release just 17 kg of CO₂ – one 300^th of that amount!

So why eat more local seasonal food?

• To reduce the energy (and associated CO₂ emissions) needed to grow and transport food
• To avoid paying premiums for food that has travelled a long way
• To support local producers and the local economy
• To reconnect with nature’s cycles and the passing of time but more importantly…
• Because seasonal food is fresher and so tends to be tastier and more nutritious.

Fairtrade

The Fairtrade Mark is an independent consumer label which appears on products as a guarantee that producers in the developing world are getting a fair deal.Today, Fairtrade sales in the UK are growing rapidly.

Why change to Fairtrade? Because it promotes Social Equity, Justice, Local Economic Development and Fair Prices for people’s labour. In addition, Fairtrade products are quality products.

Buying Fairtrade certified products encourages environmentally friendly cultivation, which protects land, wildlife, and human communities. Small scale farms use land more efficiently and use fewer agrochemicals which allows a rich array of wildlife to thrive.

Food and waste

Did you know that almost one third of the food we buy is wasted, and that supermarkets in the UK throw out up to 100,000 tonnes of food which is past its ‘sell by date’ each day? In addition, much of the packaging used in food is not currently recyclable in Northern Ireland, and therefore goes directly to landfill sites.

A few simple tips can greatly minimise your food waste:

• Minimise packaging waste – buy products without excess packaging and ask your supermarket to supply goods in recyclable or biodegradable packaging.
• Take your own bags – don’t use carrier bags or additional bags, for example when carrying loose fruit & vegetables
• Buy fresh, local produce without packaging.
• Compost any food waste you produce – it’s easy and provides a free product for your garden. Why not organise a community composting scheme?

Eat Healthily

Healthy eating involves wholesome food, in moderate amounts which contains minimal sugar, fat and salt. It delivers a balanced diet with vitamins and minerals and have a high fibre content. The health benefits of eating organic food are many, especially for children, plus the flavour is often so much better!

The fact is health, happiness and saving the planet can go together rather well. By eating a balanced diet with seasonal vegetables produced without toxic chemicals, we will be healthier. And by buying local produce, we can feel good about supporting our local economy and farming neighbours.

Eating more fruit and vegetables and less meat could reduce your food footprint by up to 40%, while having significant health benefits.

For more information contact NIEL for a copy of the ‘Guide to Food and Sustainability’ or ‘Growing for Life’ at info@nienvironmentlink.org.