Food
Set up a local farmers market
Why?
Over the course of a year the food we eat in Devon has travelled over 230 million miles generating around 240,000 tonnes of CO2. Devon has some of the best food and drink in the country, which is grown and made by people who are passionate about providing quality food. Buying Devon produce supports Devon’s economy, reduces your ‘food miles’ and means you know exactly where your food has come from. It’s fresher, it’s tastier and it’s good for Devon.
How?
Setting up a farmer’s’ market, or a place where people can share and sell local produce, is a great way to bring the local community together, provide an opportunity for people to buy good quality fresh food and help support local food producers.
Kent Farmers’ Markets have created a guide on how to set up a market.
Help people eat a sustainable balanced diet at your events
Why?
What we eat impacts our carbon footprint in various ways, but the good news is that if we all followed the recommendations of the government’s Eatwell Guide, then according to Carbon Trust analysis we’d each have a much lower environmental impact than the current average UK diet and be healthier!
In Devon, total emissions from agriculture and land use account for 18% of greenhouse gas emissions and changing our diets is one of the biggest changes, we, as individuals, can make to address our individual carbon footprint. It’s all about enjoying your fair share, but not too much.
How?
Make sure if you’re serving food at events or on a regular basis in community cafes or canteens that you’re making it easy for people to eat a sustainable and healthy diet.
Buy British, as grazing land for imported meat and the need for land to grow animal feed is the single greatest driver of deforestation, including in the Amazon, which has major consequences for biodiversity loss.
If you’re organising an event, ensure the caterer provides options for food which is locally produced and vegetarian.
Have a look here for some vegetarian recipe inspiration.
