FOOD FOR THOUGHT
How and what we eat can make a big difference to the planet. Here are some changes we can make to all be food heroes…
1 Unwrap it
Look for unpackaged foods to help reduce your plastic footprint – loose fruit and veg is an obvious one. Choose porridge oats and sugar in paper bags rather than plastic; try Flahavan’s Organic Jumbo Oats (£2.50 for 1kg, sainsburys.co.uk) or many of Sainsbury’s own-brand sugars. Remember to pop the empty bags in your kerbside recycling.
2 DOWNLOAD
Use the free Olio app to help share food with people in your local community. You can either give away your own spare food or become one of the volunteers who collects and redistributes unsold food from local businesses. (olioapp.com)
3 Waste not
Opt for Sainsbury’s ‘Taste Me, Don’t Waste Me’ boxes of surplus fruit and veg for just £2, sold in over 200 stores (subject to availability).
4 MEAL PLAN
Meal planning is a simple and effective way to reduce food waste and be sure you’re eating all of what you buy. Check the contents of your fridge before making your plan; that way, you can make sure you incorporate any leftovers into your meals.
5 Ditch the clingfilm
If you’ve got leftovers that need storing, Tupperware is a great option. For packed lunches, try beeswax wraps like Tala’s food wraps (£12 for three, sainsburys.co.uk), or soy wax wraps (available from Amazon) instead of clingfilm.
6 POWER YOUR PET FOOD
It’s not just the food that we’re eating that makes a difference. Slash your pet’s planetary ‘paw print’ by choosing environmentally friendly insect-based pet foods like Wainwright’s Nutritious Insects Dry Adult Dog Food (£15.99, petsathome.com).
7 Keep it cold
Buy a fridge thermometer and make sure you’re storing your food at less than 5°C. This is a simple step that can help your food stay fresh for up to three days longer, says Kate Hall, food waste expert and founder of thefullfreezer.com.
8 CHOOSE THE BLUE LABEL
Buying fish? Look out for the blue MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) label in-store; the MSC works with fisheries, scientists and industry to ensure that fish is sourced sustainably, protecting the health of our oceans and preserving stocks.
8 EAT SEASONALLY
Did you know that an out-of-season tomato grown in the UK can have a carbon footprint 25 times that of one grown in season? Mareike Brühl, cofounder of forkranger.com, says, ‘Eating with the seasons is good for the climate and your health.’ Try Fork Ranger’s seasonal calendar and app to pick a seasonal recipe.
10 TRY MEAT-FREE MONDAY
Animal agriculture is a big part of the world’s food footprint, but you don’t have to
