Changing our diet can have a huge impact on our carbon footprint.

The food you eat may be the biggest part of your carbon footprint.  A large proportion of greenhouse gas emissions comes from food production, and meat and dairy are associated with much higher carbon emissions. So, here are some tips that can help to reduce it:
  • Eat less meat and dairy
  • Reduce food waste – eat up leftovers
  • Eat local & seasonal
  • Grow your own

Eat less meat and dairy
 A great way to reduce your food carbon footprint is eating less meat and/or dairy.  Cutting meat and dairy products from your diet could reduce an individual's carbon footprint from food by two-thirds, according to the Oxford University study, published in the journal Science.  So, here’s an idea… think of 3 meals you regularly eat (either as a family or maybe for your packed lunch), and see if you can change the meat and/or dairy for something else? 

It is also important to know how and where your food is produced, as the same food can have huge differences in environmental impact.  For example, beef cattle raised on deforested land is responsible for 12 times more greenhouse gas emissions than cows reared on natural pastures.  

Eat local and seasonal
Where we buy our food from and what food we buy, can have a really big impact on our carbon footprint.  Generally, food that is grown close to where we live or even food that is grown anywhere in the UK is better for the environment, than food that is flown in from another part of the world.  The more local it is the better it is for our carbon footprint, and if we buy food locally, it will probably mean that we are buying seasonal food too.  

Here are some ideas that you and your family may already do, or may like to try, in order to help reduce your carbon footprint…..
 
  • Pick Your Own - What could be nicer than cooking fresh fruit and veg that you have picked yourself?- Pick your own farms and orchards can make for a fun family day out, where no two visits will be the same! 
  • Grow Your Own - If you want to start to grow fruit and vegetables at home, have a think about those that are easy to sow and grow and will be quick growing, such as; courgettes, tomatoes, strawberries, potatoes, blueberries and raspberries.  Remember, there are lot of lovely fruit and vegetables that you can grow in a pot, tub or window box, like lettuce, tomatoes and even mushrooms.  So, you don't need a large garden or allotment to get growing.  Tip: Vegetables that you can eat straight from the plant like tomatoes are always a hit with children, and harvesting food is one of the best things about growing your own.
  • Farmers Markets - Farmers’ markets offer local produce, direct from the grower, to the public. 
  • Farm Shops - Farm shops offer wonderfully fresh food which is harvested and for sale during its ‘season’, so you can be sure you are getting the finest fruit and veg, grown as nature intended - not artificially reared to satisfy year round demand! At your local farm shop you’ll often be able to talk to the growers and producers and find out about their growing methods and what is coming into season and when. 
  • Vegetable Boxes - There are now many companies around offering veg box deliveries - basically, fresh produce delivered directly to your door on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis. Look out for local farms in your area offering box deliveries to ensure your food is fresh from the farm, not from a refrigerated lorry, that has spent hours and hours on the motorway! 

Reducing Food Waste
Did you know that the cost of food waste for an average family with Children, is over £1,000 per year. That’s a lot of money!   So, making a meal plan can really help to save food waste. Here are five top ways to cut down on food waste from BBC Good Food.
  1. Don’t over buy. Keep track of what you’ve bought and used. WRAP suggests taking a ‘shelfie’ – a photo of your fridge and cupboards to remind you of what’s there.
  2. Check the use-by dates of fresh food when you buy it. These are the dates to take notice of, rather than the best-before dates. Only buy what you can use before it expires.
  3. Plan ahead. Think about what you’re going to cook and how you’ll use the leftovers.
  4. Get to know your grocer. They will have plenty of advice on how to use up leftover veg.
  5. Love your freezer. Use your weekends to batch-cook and freeze. There are plenty of freezing tips in our guide.

This info is from the WWF: 

Did you know?  One third of all food produced is wasted. Every year wasted food in the UK represents 14 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. In total, these greenhouse gas emissions are the same as those created by 7 million cars each year. 

Did you know?  Buying local and seasonal food will generally result in a lower footprint. It depends how it’s produced and packaged, but it it is more likely to have a lower environmental footprint. Not that buying from abroad is necessarily a bad thing. Food grown in a sustainable way and traded fairly can be vital for developing countries. Buy thoughtfully… 

Did you know?  Food bought in restaurants has a wider footprint than food you buy to cook at home because of the ‘overheads’ in the restaurants – the emissions associated with heating, lighting and cooking for your meal. Food from takeaways has additional packaging and additional transport emissions, from the means of getting it from the restaurant to your home