Eco-friendly Foods Lower primary level

Activity Part A Where does our food come from?

Activity Part B Choosing environmentally friendly foods

Pizza Pavlova with fruit

Supermarket e.g. IGA, Aldi, Woolworths, Coles Where we buy products from suppliers Farmer’s Market e.g. Rocklea market, weekend markets Where we buy products directly from farmers

It is important to choose foods that are good for the environment as well as good for our bodies How do we do this? Eat in-season fruits & vegetables low food miles

Foods grow best at a particular time of year when they are in season Fruits and vegetables that are in season are fresher and tastier Eating in season fruits and vegetables is good for the environment and good for us!

autumnwinter strawberries oranges spinach avocadoes strawberries oranges spinach pumpkin avocadoes springsummer spinach pumpkin avocadoes pumpkin corn mangoes all year round bananas, apples and potatoes These fruits & veg grow best in these seasons where we live; in south-east Queensland

Often cheaper because they come from farms nearby, so less transport and fuel is needed Transporting foods requires fuels which are bad for the environment When foods are out of season in Australia, we have to transport them from all over the world

The distance a food travels from where it is produced to where it reaches the consumer Oranges are out of season in summer in Australia so they come all the way from USA… that means lots of food miles! The higher the food miles, the worse for the environment

When oranges are out of season in summer in Australia, they come all the way from USA… 2 5, k m Image: xedos4 / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

 Planes, boats, trucks and trains used to transport food burn lots of fuel and energy  When fuel is used, carbon dioxide and other ‘greenhouse gases’ are produced  An increase in these gases in the atmosphere causes global warming – the steady rise in the earth’s temperature.

 The rise in the earth’s temperature could hurt many people, animals and plants that can’t adapt to higher temperatures ✗ Coral can start to die ✗ Some fruit & veg can’t grow properly  Higher temperatures could also lead to more dangerous weather conditions ✗ More cyclones and droughts, which makes growing food harder RISING TEMPERATURES

Tips for buying in season foods with lower food miles: →S→Shop at your local markets →F→Find out when your favourite fruits and vegetables are in season →B→Buy Australian products

Questions??