It is really easy to see messages in the news such as “UK farming's 'net zero' climate target in doubt” (BBC News 11th September) and lose hope, fall back into inertia, feeling like there is nothing we can do as individuals to stop this climate crisis juggernaut.
But we can help our farmers.
Every decision we make regarding the food we eat can have a better impact on the climate, and help our farmers make better decisions too. Here at The Community Farm we understand that, in this modern world, the idea of considering every decision we make on food is overwhelming and just not realistic. Rest assured, you’re not alone. Just one decision, multiplied by many people, will help change the direction of travel. Each individual decision doesn’t need to be a Big Change; a tweak to a meal choice in a restaurant here, a product choice in a shop there, it all does make a difference. As some one once said...every little helps!
What other changes can you make?
🍅Buy organic; this helps farmers reduce reliance on fertiliser, and farm in harmony with the environment.
🥦Buy seasonal; this reduces the energy consumption of food produced.
🌽Buy local; this reduces food miles, reducing fuel and energy consumption.
🥕Increase the plants in your diet; this doesn’t mean you have to vegan. Just up the plants!
🌶Reduce the amount of processed food you eat; this increases the money that goes to farmers rather than to processors, packaging, storage and transport, marketing and branding, and multinational companies involved in the long and complex supply chains of processed food.
Swap just one thing you buy this week and you'll already be ticking off one or more of the above!
Changing your diet to be based around a local, organic, veg box? This ticks all the above. It is a big change. But a weekly Veg Box helps lead lots of other smaller decisions and changes too. And once you’ve embedded the change, you won't want to go back!
Take a look at our veg and fruit boxes here.
By Kim Brooks, Managing Director
