The promotion of sustainable lifestyles is a priority line of action for the Biodiversity Foundation.Thus, it has launched a programme of actions with the aim of promoting measures that integrate and encourage more sustainable lifestyles in citizens, coordinating policies that promote them and promoting governance, cooperation and training in this area. Within the framework of the Emprendeverde Network
The creation and consolidation of companies or new lines of business is encouraged through initiatives linked to nature conservation, including sustainable activities in the agri-food sector. In this sense, this sector has important impacts on biodiversity, from production, transport, packaging and even in its low use. However, it is also a very important driver of change that could promote more sustainable and healthy lifestyles, which are essential to contribute to the conservation and recovery of nature. It is also in the hands of consumers to face a problem that affects our health and well-being and that is especially highlighted at this time of year. According to a study on food waste carried out by Too Good To Go, 20% of the food bought during the Christmas holidays is discarded, ending up in the trash. The United Nations Global Compact Spain has published the report
‘SDG Year 7. ‘ in which it warns that, in recent years, consumers have demanded more sustainable products. The publication also adds that the public sector is also echoing this social demand, as public administrations are committed to healthier food and more sustainable processes, promoting programmes such as the “Farm to Fork” strategy, one of the initiatives of the European Green Deal that aims to transition to a more environmentally friendly food system. To change this trend, we highlight some ideas to enjoy a more sustainable diet during these Christmas holidays and some examples of entrepreneurship in the Emprendeverde Network community.
1. LOCAL AND SEASONAL PRODUCTS
Consuming local products has many advantages. Food is fresher and travels fewer kilometres to reach our table, which significantly reduces its carbon footprint. In addition, its consumption supports local producers and their businesses.
Direct selling
For the purchase of this type of food, it is ideal to form a consumer group or look in cooperative markets. Dehesa El Milagro is an example of sustainable local production, which integrates agriculture, livestock and the farm. Tierras Vivas, a shop specialising in fresh and artisan produce, also offers food from small gardens and organic farms. For its part, Smileat offers natural, artisanal and ecological baby food.
Innovative and sustainable
To try something different this holiday season, there are a series of products that, in addition to being sustainable, are committed to innovation: EcoLactis sells powdered mare’s milk from organic and sustainable production, a food that benefits people with a weakened immune system or with skin or digestive problems. Insectorium produces and markets insects for several purposes: for human or animal food; as fertilizer and for the chemical and pharmaceutical industry. Naturae develops products and foods with aloe vera.
2. COLLABORATIVE SUPERMARKETS
Collaborative supermarkets are an interesting model to acquire, at a more affordable price, sustainable products, mostly from local producers, in a fair commercial relationship, in exchange for a participation that can involve an annual fee but also contribute hours of volunteer work in the establishment. La Osa is one of the cooperative supermarkets that you can find in Madrid.
3. SUSTAINABLE RESTAURANTS AND CATERING
For the organization of a dinner, whether business or family, in which there is no time to cook, there is the option of hiring a caterer or booking a table in a restaurant. In both cases, there are sustainable options. La Salseta restaurant follows the philosophy of slow food, buying the maximum possible number of products, from the maximum number of producers as close as possible. For her part, the Eco Chef offers a weekly homemade and organic menu that changes every week to be able to eat in a varied way. For vegans, the Romero Verde restaurant offers healthy and balanced food, always cooking in season and taking care of the quality of the ingredients. Their dishes can be purchased in the shop, but they also deliver by bicycle on request. All the packaging they use is biodegradable.
4. AVOID SINGLE-USE CONTAINERS AND UTENSILS
The annual production of plastic is around 460 million tonnes per year and, according to the UN, only 9% is recycled. Much of this plastic ends up in the sea and can take a long time to decompose, in the case of tableware, more than 400 years. For this reason, it is very important to reduce the use of disposable plastic products. There are tableware made from plant products, such as bamboo or sugar cane, which are ecological and biodegradable. However, the ideal would be to generate as little waste as possible and, if it is produced, to recycle it correctly. Products can be purchased in bulk, as this avoids the use of single-use bags. Examples such as The Eco-Tasting by SORBOS are committed to everyday environmentalism of small gestures associated with good times with 100% biodegradable edible straws. Ecoologic.com is dedicated to the online trade of biodegradable and compostable tableware, free of plastics, aimed at restaurants, catering companies, retail stores and individuals.
About one-third of the world’s food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted each year, the equivalent of 2.5 billion tons. Although more than a third of total waste occurs during production itself, more than 13 million kilos of food were wasted in Spanish households in 2020. This waste has a negative impact on the environment, the economy and society. We highlight some tips to reduce the amount of wasted food.
Plan menus and freeze leftovers
You can start avoiding food waste before you shop, planning menus in advance and buying only what you need. It is one of the councils of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). When shopping, you can give a chance to fruits and vegetables that are not entirely aesthetically pleasing. Not all foods have a perfect shape and that does not make them worse. Once at home, food should be properly preserved. You have to use the oldest products before and adjust the portions so that there is no leftover food on the plates. In addition, it is advisable to freeze leftovers or processed foods that, once opened, are not completely finished, such as broth or fried tomato.
Recipes for use
Many products that we discard for cooking can be used in recipes for use. The Basque Culinary Center has created a manual with more than 20 recipes that helps to revalue these parts of food.
Apps to buy surplus
There are apps to save food that is going to be thrown away like Too Good to Go. This initiative, which is part of the Emprendeverde Network community, has already prevented the waste of 3,000 tonnes of food since its foundation. After downloading the mobile application, you can search for nearby establishments and reserve surprise food “packs” that you can pick up at the end of the day, as they are made with the surpluses. Like Too Good to Go, there are other applications such as Soy comida perfecta and Ni las migas. There are a number of companies that have seen waste or surpluses as an interesting business niche.
Expiration vs. best before
Finally, it is useful to know that the expiration date is an indicator of food safety, that they only carry very perishable products and with a risk of pathogenic bacteria, according to the Organization of Consumers and Users. By mistake, this expression is used for all products. On the other hand, preferential consumption applies to products that after the date may have lost part of their properties and present changes in their taste, smell, texture and color, but it is safe to consume after the date, if it is still in good condition. By acting against food waste, impacts on greenhouse gas emissions, soil degradation, water use and biodiversity can be reduced.
This Christmas we can take care of nature from our table.
