Wednesday 16th January 2019
If you thought you heard the word vegan a lot in 2018, prepare yourself. It’s the start of a new year and veganism is a fashion trend that doesn’t appear to be going anywhere. Amongst the most popular reasons behind deciding to go plant-based are animal welfare and the environment. Major food producers are already starting to jump on the bandwagon, such as Greggs with their vegan sausage rolls and Marks and Spencer’s ‘Plant Kitchen’ collection.
We have also seen increasing reports about the acceleration of climate change from the IPCC, with the associated emissions from food production identified as a key contributor. And the UK Gov put a huge focus on food waste in their latest Waste and Resources Strategy. So, with all this focus on food and the environment it’s no wonder that food waste and sustainability is set to become one of the biggest buzzwords of 2019, following single-use plastics. But what exactly is food sustainability?
According to Sustain, the alliance for better food and farming, sustainable food is:
Food that should be produced, processed, distributed and disposed of in ways that:
- Contribute to thriving local economies
- Protect the diversity of plants and animals and the welfare of farmed and wild species
- Avoid damaging or wasting natural resources or contributing to climate change
- Provide social benefits, such as good quality food, safe and healthy products and educational opportunities.
Sustainable food isn’t just about food itself, it’s a combination of these factors.
A third of the world’s food is thrown away according to UN data, with disastrous environmental and social consequences. And producing that food in the first place is just as bad. Food systems account for around 70% of the world’s freshwater withdrawals and contribute around 25% of the world’s greenhouse gases. Something needs to change.
This week we launch our first campaign of 2019, #ForFoodsSake, where we’ll be looking behind the scenes in the world of food waste and food sustainability. Throughout ‘Veganuary’ we’ll be posting blogs, facts, tips and insightful articles on the subject. We will be talking to organisations pioneering food sustainability throughout their operations and giving you the low down on whether ‘veganism’ is actually the next-best-thing for the planet.
Hungry for more? Keep your eyes peeled on our Twitter and Facebook pages for interviews, blog posts and hints and tips throughout our campaign. Get involved by tweeting us @RecorraUK and using the hashtag #ForFoodsSake.
