Food for Thought

FOOD FOR THOUGHT:

Food is a sacred act of togetherness — an alchemy of flavors gifted and grown from the depths of Mother Nature and presented tastefully on our kitchen tables. Savory, sweet, and spiced aromas coupled with baked goods and fresh produce scent the air during the holidays as an essential act of sharing in generosity and gratitude.

Food for thought — how many of us question where our food comes from? How many of us know what produce is local or in season? How many of us know how far our food has traveled? How many of us can afford to care? For a wide selection of the population our connection to current food systems goes as far as the store or market. Rarely were we taught to ask questions centering food consumption that creates new healthy values in better relation with the planet. 

This holiday season it’s important to consider what has gone into the food on your table: water, energy, land, labor, process, transport, store, market, and preparation. Not surprisingly a mouthful sadly overlooked when it comes to being, feeling, and acting nourished. Would our collective move differently if we acted from a place of deep nourishment? One that is sustainable, regenerative, and committed to considering the environmental impact of consumption and waste.

It’s estimated that 40% of food waste, beginning at home then spiraling through restaurants, stores, and food service companies, ends up in landfills. Globally we waste about 1.4 billion tons of food each year! As leftovers sit decaying, methane is emitted becoming a powerful greenhouse gas that exacerbates our ongoing climate crisis. We have to admit wasting food in one matter is contributing to wasting resources in another. The cycle has to cease if we wish to see a return of restoration in all aspects between people and the planet. 

Here’s Your Guide to a Sustainable Holiday Season:

— Prioritize seasonal and locally sourced produce!
When you buy food locally you are supporting your local agriculture, regenerative farmers, and indigenous growers that ensures a continued exchange of goods while also reducing emissions and preserving natural resources.

— Minimize Waste!
Make the most of every ingredient. Plan meals, choose produce you can save, freeze, or use for other recipes — and (learn to) compost the green matter of what you can. Keep food out of landfills.

— Educate yourself on the impact!
Food miles are the distance food items must travel from where they are grown to where they are consumed. This adds to our carbon footprint and the greenhouse gas emissions caused directly or indirectly by a person, business, or organization. Know your source.

— Donate!
Share the wealth. Food is a currency of abundance, and while food insecurity is a global issue rooted in complexity, it doesn’t have to be. Start with food banks and shelters that would gladly take in food often thrown out. 

We each have a responsibility to do our part — this is so much more than a delicious meal, the Earth is demanding we engage in a revolution of food recovery and preservation! Place value in regenerative practices and question when outdated systems cause more harm than good. Now, more than ever, where are you sourcing your food from this holiday season? 

Be Well,
Rosie Llewellyn