Food and diet
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Buy Locally
A lot of the food we buy in supermarkets has travelled hundreds and thousands of miles at a massive human and environmental cost; in terms of people going hungry so land can be used to meet our demands in the west; fuel used; and acres of rainforest felled. Meanwhile, farmers are going out of business in the UK as they can’t compete with foreign imports. Buying local produce supports your local economy and local growers.
Fruit and Vegetable Box Schemes: get locally grown organic produce which has been freshly harvested by the grower delivered to your door by Kan Foods, Kendal - 01539721190 and www.freshfood.co.uk (link opens in a new window).
Farmers Markets: buy direct from the producer, meaning that you know where the food has come from and the profit goes direct to the farmer, not to a multinational supermarket chain. Check out www.farmersmarkets.net and www.BigBarn.co.uk (both links open in a new window).
Farm Shops: allow you to buy direct from the farmer who has grown the produce through www.plumgarths.co.uk, www.low-sizergh-barn.co.uk, www.fellbred.co.uk and www.growingwell.co.uk (all links open in a new window).
Buy in Season
The transportation from overseas of unavailable fresh produce, such as strawberries in winter, damages the environment due to pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. It's cheaper and better for the environment to choose fruit and vegetables that are in season and ideally grown locally - like raspberries in summer. One way to ensure you buy seasonal and local food is to join a vegetable box scheme.
Buy Organic
Organic farming does not use chemical fertilisers and pesticides or grow genetically modified (GM) crops, so it is better for the environment and it makes food healthier and tastier. Organic farmers use crop rotations to improve the fertility of their soil and all aspects of animal welfare are tightly controlled, including rearing, shelter, feeding and transportation.
The price of organic food is often higher it costs more to produce, but there are fewer environmental costs and it's healthier for you.
Useful links
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- www.cumbriaorganics.org
- www.soilassociation.org -The Soil Association provides help and advice for organic producers and consumers.
Buy Fairtrade
For exotic imported foods like tea, coffee, sugar, chocolate and bananas, we should avoid exploiting the producers and their environment.
Fair trade aims to build trading relationships between consumers in rich countries, and producers in developing countries, avoiding exploitation of producers and the environment. The Fairtrade label guarantees disadvantaged producers are getting a fair and stable price for their products, along with minimum health and safety conditions. The Fairtrade price includes a premium for farmers and workers to spend on social and environmental projects in communities.
Useful links
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- www.fairtrade.org.uk - The UK’s independent regulator of fair trade with information on fairtrade food and where to find it.
- www.bafts.org.uk - The British Association for Fair Trade Shops promote fair trade retailing in the UK,
- www.traidcraftshop.co.uk -Sells a variety of fairly traded products including food, chocolate and snacks, teas and coffees.
- www.cafedirect.co.uk - Manufacturers of fairtrade tea and coffee
Buy Healthy
Try to avoid buying convenience, highly processed food. They contain hidden sugar and salt. Meals made with fresh fruit and vegetables contain more goodness to processed meals and help reduce the risk of some cancers and protect against heart disease.
Useful links (all open in new window)
- www.5aday.nhs.uk - The NHS healthy family eating and living advice. You can also find out about community initiatives taking place in Primary Care Trusts in your area and School Fruit and Vegetable Schemes.
- www.bhf.org.uk - Check out the British Heart Foundation’s ‘Food 4 Thought’ section, which has some useful information and advice on things like eating well and feeling great.
Buy Enough
So much food is thrown away because we fill our plates too high or we let it rot in the cupboard . Be more aware of what portion size you and your family really want and need and make lists when you go to the supermarket relating to actual meals. Try using up your leftovers in soups and freeze food before it goes off.
Grow Your Own
If you have space in your garden, or lease an allotment from your local council, you can easily grow your own fruit and vegetables. It’s the best way to know exactly where your food has come from, it doesn’t use up any foodmiles, and it's very satisfying growing and eating your own produce.
Useful links
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- www.southlakeland.gov.uk/main.asp?page=294 - information on renting allotments in Kendal or Ulverston at no more than £20 per year. There are links on the website to Kendal Town Council who administer them.
- www.allotments-uk.com - Allotments UK is a national directory of allotment links and information
- www.nsalg.org.uk - The National Society of Allotment and Leisure Gardeners help people to enjoy the recreation of gardening and so promote their health, education and community fellowship.
The Full Monty
This web page is just a taste of what's on offer!
For more advice, information, links to fantastic websites and background on how you can save pounds whilst saving the planet, download the Toolkit for Sustainable Living in South Lakeland (opens Document Library)
