Food | Friends of the Earth Scotland

Food

Food Sovereignty

It is essential that we build global food systems based on diverse, localised agricultural solutions. People should be allowed to determine and control their own food systems. This form of agriculture also helps communities become more resilient to climate change. This is what is known in the Global South as Food Sovereignty.

Climate Change

Global food production is a huge contributer to climate change emissions: in Scotland, food is responsible for 25% of our greenhouse gases. The key sources of these emissions are intensively reared livestock and fertilised crops.

That’s why we support organic food and farming and a low meat and dairy diet.

Low Carbon Food

Eating local and seasonal produce; organic food; and a low meat and dairy diet, is not only good for the environment, but for your health, and often for your pocket too!

Why eat local and seasonal produce?

It’s fresher and tastes better: local food is often picked in last 24 hours, and seasonal food is at it's peak taste
Seasonal food costs less as it's at its most abundant, but the money you do spend stays in your local area helping your community to thrive
Many nutrients break down over time and with processing so supermarket packaged food tends to have fewer nutrients
The less your food travels, the lower its carbon footprint

Why eat organic?

Organic food is healthier and more nutritious with no GMOs, fewer harmful chemicals and artificial additives, and contains more naturally occurring minerals, vitamins and anti-oxidants
Organic farming methods are less disruptive to local ecosystems and are less dependent on chemicals
For a farm to be registered organic, it must comply with rigorous animal welfare standards
When eating organic meat, the animals are allowed to mature naturally, without growth promoters, which allows flavour to develop.

Why eat less meat?

The livestock industry generates 8% of all UK greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to climate change
Rearing livestock is often a very inefficient use of resources as animals need much more water and grain to produce the same amount of food
80% of deforestation in the Amazon rainforest is due to an increase in raising cattle for human consumption.
Eating more fruit and vegetables is better for your health, and you will even save some money!

Want to know more?

Check out these web links:

Shop at local farmers markets and health food shops, or get a veg box delivered to your door – find out more .