There is a lot of media talk about eating local, organic and fair-trade food products, and all these areas come under the umbrella of sustainable food. In a world where we are constantly depleting the earth’s natural resources, we must live more sustainable lives in order to reduce the negative environmental impact of the human race on the planet, and this includes sustainable food.
The concept of sustainable food can be said to cover a few broad areas. Firstly, it is necessary to use less of the earth’s resources such as oil, which is heavily involved in the transportation of food and a major contributor to climate change. Secondly, it is important to respect the land in terms of how it is farmed and food is produced, and, thirdly, sustainable food is about treating those who work in the food chain better, both in terms of conditions and pay.
In the developed world we have got used to eating what we want, when we want, regardless of whether it is in season in this country. Trying to eat products which are in season locally, and indeed buying as much food as possible from the local area, is a key part of a sustainable food ethos, thus helping the local economy and reducing food miles. Where products are not available locally or from within the UK, perhaps consider Fairtrade products (preferably not air-freighted, if this is known), which ensure that the workers in developing countries get a fair deal.
Organic food is considered to be part of a sustainable food ideal, as this has the least environmental impact on the land. In the case of animal products, livestock farming is considered to make a significant contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, so reducing the amount of meat and dairy products consumed can also make a real difference. With regards to fish, try to eat products such as the flatfish dab, which is not considered to be at risk from unsustainable over-fishing.
