If almost 3/4th of the population in the UK believes that buying local produce is very important to them – with women believing in this more than men – then consuming sustainable food might not really be a bad idea after all! For the starters, buying local produce – getting it directly from the farm to fridge – is 36% better for the economy in the UK. Not only that, it makes a whopping 30% people in the UK feel patriotic, since buying locally sourced produce is also 35.5% good for the environment around them.
And when almost 60% of the people in the UK are happy to pay 21% more for sustainable produce from the local farms and markets, it can be said that the economy is in good hands. But overwhelming statistics apart, let us have a glimpse into your fridge and see where does the food in your fridge actually come from? And is it healthy enough for you and the environment?
How nutritious is that milk?
In the UK, milk is essential for idly spending a British evening. How else can the English, Irish, Scottish and the Welsh sit down with their loved ones in the evening and relish a cup of tea? Milk is also a great source of hydration in the UK. Not only this delicious white liquid helps you to shed weight, but also makes your bones stronger and repairs your muscles in a jiffy.
But this comes at a price to the environment and other living beings residing in it. Cows, which are the primary source for producing milk, also produce quite an amount of methane – which can affect the environment you live in – way worse than carbon dioxide does!
So, while that fresh milk may have the shortest journey from the farm to your fridge, it isn’t really great for the environment you reside in.
How fresh are your fruits and vegetables?
Let us talk about the juicy strawberries first. They taste delicious when they are grown and consumed seasonally. So, from the months between May to September, the British population (almost 71% of it) is the happiest while gulping down the ripe, juicy versions of the fruit. They are friendly to the environment as well, and can be imported all through the year.
Cherries are a sweet treat for your taste buds. But most of them make way to your fridge from Spain, Turkey, and Italy and Greece. Their journey from the farm to the fridge is still not terrible for the environment, and for most part, you can still enjoy the local produce when the fruit is in the season.
Lastly, the tomatoes in your fridge, which can enhance the taste of any dish, are locally grown in the UK from June to October. While they are fresh fruits/veggies (you can choose to call them whatever you wish), filled with loads of nutrients to amp your health – the ones imported EU countries might be filled with pesticides that do your body and your environment quite some harm. So, be careful.
The beef, fish, and chicken – how eco-friendly is your favorite dish?
Beef comes packed with essential proteins, vitamins and minerals. The journey from the farm to the fridge is short. But it comes from cows, which, as mentioned above, produces methane, impacting the environment in worse way than carbon can ever do!
Chicken isn’t generally great for the environment. UK produces only 60% of the chicken it supplies around the country – the rest is imported from various other EU nations. This means that the journey is long, the impact is bad, and even with the presence of slaughterhouses in the country – the waste is on the grid at all times.
When it comes to fish, especially salmon, you can be almost sure that consuming salmon is an act that proves detrimental to the environment around you. While salmon can be farmed throughout the year – you will be disappointed to realize the amount of waste and bacteria it can left behind. So, be aware of the repercussions of bringing this produce from the farm to your fridge.
Article Submitted By Community Writer