Making food more sustainable at your school Candice Luper- S ustainability Officer

Aim of this workshop Understand some of the environmental and sustainability issues of food production and distribution Understand how we can make positive choices to reduce these impacts

Activity 1: Think about the sustainability issues that relate to the food item you have been given Consider: Which country it was produced in How it would have travelled to the supermarket How it was produced – any possible issues? What packaging was necessary What resources were required to grow or distribute it

Africa South America Europe

Some food issues include... Food miles Factory farming of animals – animal welfare Chemicals residues and pollution from pesticides Food waste Food packaging Energy use in food production, transportation and refrigeration Resource depletion Changing land use Bio-fuels Eating out of season

What is sustainable food?

Sustainable food is.. produced close to where it is eaten

Sustainable food is... produced in its natural growing season

Sustainable food... doesn’t contaminate with chemicals

Sustainable food... cares for wildlife

Sustainable Food... is not based on meat and dairy

Sustainable food... Cares for people

Sustainable food... Is not wasteful

Sustainable food... is produced within natural limits

Sustainable food choices Consume less meat and dairy Choose fruit and vegetables that are in season and avoid those which are not Buy products which are produced locally. Buy organic, free range and Fair Trade products wherever they are available Reduce your intake of processed, heavily packaged foods. Make sure that the fish you buy is from a sustainable source Reduce your food waste – use left over's, plan your meals in advance Shop on foot or over the internet Choose different varieties of fruit or vegetables. Do they have to look perfect? Cook and store food in energy conserving ways Choose foods with less packaging – drink tap instead of bottled water

What could you do at your school to encourage sustainable food? Encourage the canteen to provide foods which are sourced locally Encourage the canteen to prepare fresh seasonal foods Encourage the school to develop a food policy Introduce food waste recycling or composting Introduce a Vegetarian Wednesday campaign Set up a School Food Garden – grown and harvest your own food Encourage waste free lunch boxes Encourage healthy eating - Reducing processed and highly packaged foods Hold a food themed event – seasonal and local food picnic

Thank you