Simply put, sustainable food is food that is healthy, safe, ethically made and affordable.
As we have seen last week food triggers childhood memories – both positive and negative – but food is also deeply rooted in the present moment as we rely on it for our daily survival.
In addition, our relationship to food has also an impact on our children’s future and our loved one.
As industrial food production is harming our environment and our health what can we do to have a positive impact?
How Covid has changed our relationship to food?
Photograph by Solomé, a former participant, who support her community by volunteering at her local food bank.
Since the beginning of the pandemic in early 2020 our relationship with food has changed.
It has affected the way we buy, eat and think of it.
What we thought was granted; family dinners, going to our favourite restaurant, buying vegetables at the market, or just popping out to the grocery store have been impossible for a while.
Although we have adapted, the pandemic has obliged us to re-think our relationship with food and the environment in general.
Has the pandemic affected your relation with food?
Being more mindful of food waste
According to Wrap, a charity that aims to reduce food waste, there was a 34% reduction in wasted potatoes, bread, chicken, and milk at home since the beginning of the pandemic.
It seems that people have been more mindful about wasting food which is a cause of global warming as it accounts for 8% of all greenhouse emissions, which is almost equivalent to road transport.
Does Covid will help the U.K to reach its goal of halving food waste by 2030?
Do you have tips to reduce waste?
More people are growing food
Many participants like Althea and Dieter, have started growing their own food on their balcony, windows, community gardens or even in their living room.
What about you? Are growing anything at home? Do you have access to a community garden?
Eating more plants
I always found it challenging to find a balance between eating less meat while keeping my traditions.
When staying with my Aunt in France we always have a feast of meat and fish. And when visiting my family in Ethiopia, they buy a sheep to welcome us and we end up eating meat during all our stay.
On the other hand it has been proven that eating more plants is better for our health, the planet and our wallet.
Therefore, my partner and I decided to have a more balanced diet and to eat meat and fish only twice or once a week.
Sweet potato quesadillas is one of our favourite vegetarian recipe. They take 5 minutes to make and everyone loves them.
Do you know a vegetarian recipe you’d like to share?
Wisdom Assignment
This week I invite you to share with us in 2 pictures of something to do with food that you are proud of and perhaps you learned during COVID and one photograph of a meal.
If you have time I also invite you to share a recipe – you can share a link on internet.
Have a good week!
Inspirational Reference
If you want to get more involved in food sustainability I invite you look at Wen’s work in Tower Hamlets.
“Wen coordinates the Tower Hamlets Food Partnership and champions community food growing projects – creating a fairer, healthier and more sustainable food system.”