Environmental Impact of the food we choose eat

As a recipe developer and Holistic Chef, I've always dreamed of displaying the environmental impact of specific ingredients and recipes. Imagine having these details included on a recipe card or menu for people to make a more informed choice?

time lapse photography of waterfalls during sunset — Mother nature is the true artist: Respect for food is respect for life

The future of food labelling awareness

Along with nutritional breakdown and allergens, I believe that providing the environmental impact calculations of recipes and food products is a necessary progression we need to make as chefs and recipe bloggers.

Sustainability in hospitality

The Michelin guide are progressing well by awarding restaurants Green Stars for sustainable gastronomy and recognising vegan restaurants with Michelin star status. Kudos Mr Michelin!

There is no doubt that the hospitality industry all around the world are facing huge challenges. Focusing on a more sustainable business model that supports local enterprises and communities are so important for the recovery road map ahead.

How do our food choices impact the environment and climate change?

Our food choices are one of the main contributors to carbon emissions.

Food accounts for over a quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions
50% of the world’s habitable land is used for agriculture
70% of global freshwater withdrawals are used for agriculture
78% of global ocean and freshwater eutrophication is caused by agriculture

Food lies at the heart of trying to tackle climate change, reducing water stress, pollution, restoring lands back to forests or grasslands, and protecting the world’s wildlife.

(Thank you Our World in Data for this research information provided. Discover more information on their website)

kanom jeen thai vegan noodle dish — Authentic Local Thai Cuisine

How can recipe bloggers and chefs make a contribution to the environment?

Collectively, recipe bloggers and chefs have a very powerful influence on what people choose to eat everyday... I believe there is a massive opportunity here to make a significant impact on the environment, food security and sustainability for the future.

I'm incredibly excited to have connected with Matthew from My Emissions, the developer behind this new 'environmental impact' food label.

I'm sure it's a complex mathematical equation to calculate the average emission of every ingredient! Locality, seasonality, farming practices, fishing practices, transport, storage, packaging material, food waste, organic v non-organic amongst many other factors, all play an impact in calculating the emission rating.

I'm hoping we will see this information become more and more widespread and readily available in the months and years ahead.

Everything we choose to eat impacts the environment. We vote with our forks and knives every single day.
Jamie Raftery

3 different falafel boxes from the Jungle Kitchen Pop Up Event — Middle Eastern Falafel Box - Made with local ingredients

Here are some of my recent recipes with the new environmental impact label

Scroll down to the bottom of the recipe card on each post. You will see the environmental impact calculation located under the nutrition label.

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Discover more sustainable sources of plant-based protein in my Food Library

Dried chickpeas and fresh chickpea — Chickpeas

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