Ten million tons of carbon dioxide are emitted in the UK getting our food to us each year. We can buy strawberries every month of the year, some of them coming with a massive carbon footprint. Food packaging is an issue as it accounts for 35% of plastics used.
Action for PCCs to consider
- Use of Fair Trade products and/or local and seasonal foods for church refreshments and meals
- Church catering guidelines about avoiding excess packaging and waste
- Link harvest festivals to local produce
- Discuss ethical and environmental topics associated with food production e.g. labour, land use and ownership, water pollution, food miles
- Develop links with farmers' markets
- Support local food and produce festivals
- Promoting healthy eatingActions for individuals to consider
Actions for individuals to consider
- Growing your own food in gardens or allotments or in pots where space is limited
- Purchasing Fair Trade and local and seasonal foods.
- Reduce food waste
- Choose products with minimal packaging
- Reducing energy use by buying less frozen and processed food
- Consider changing the meat content in meals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (beef production contributes more than lamb and pork and 13 times more than chicken)
What the strategy says about Food
Turn to page 5 in the Diocesan Environmental Stategy document.
Further information
- LOAF food - Locally sourced, Organically produced, Animal friendly, Fairly traded food
- Christian Aid on fair trade and ethical living