There is no universally agreed definition of sustainability. In fact, there are many different viewpoints on this concept and on how it can be achieved. Sustainability is all about meeting our current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs
What is sustainability? The principles of sustainability are the foundations of what this concept represents. Therefore, sustainability is made up of three pillars: the economy, society, and the environment. These principles are also informally used as profit, people, and the planet.
Nowadays, because of the environmental and social problems society is facing, sustainability is commonly used in a specific way. Therefore, sustainability can be defined as the processes and actions through which humankind avoids the depletion of natural resources (which is influenced by the way societies are organized) to keep an ecological balance so that society’s quality of life doesn’t decrease.
Sustainable food is something that is safe and healthy and profits the environment. Sustainable food isn’t only about the food itself. It’s a combination of factors including how the food is produced, how it’s distributed, how it’s packaged, and how it’s consumed. Sustainable food and sustainable agriculture go hand-in-hand. Sustainable agriculture is a production system that's good for the environment, people, farmworkers, and animals. “Many people are surprised when we say farmers are the first environmentalists, but it’s true,” Walmsley told The Daily Meal via email. In fact, more than 15% of all farmland is dedicated to conservation and wildlife habitat. “All of this is to say that society’s increasing interest in sustainability is really just catching-up to farmers’ longstanding commitment to it,” he said. And according to the One Earth Science & Technology Initiative, proper farming without the use of pesticides actually increases the soil’s carbon content and fertility.
Benefits of food sustainability
Higher quality menu and service - result in improved customer satisfaction and increased sales.
Seasonal and bulk purchasing - help decrease unit costs over prepackaged foods and result in more fresh and whole food.
Direct purchasing from food producers - eliminates the administrative mark-up at an estimated cost savings of 6%-10%.
Local sourcing for purchasing - stimulates the local economy and helps sustain farms and other food producers.
A reduction in wasted food and supplies - results in a decrease in trash volume and, consequently, hauler costs.
Cost tracking and inventory management - enables weekly and monthly evaluation and inventory adjustment.
Our decisions in buying food are based on convenience, taste, and price. Even for those of us who wish to live more planet-friendly lives.
Having a better understanding of what makes food sustainable could help us all make more informed decisions. It would allow us to weigh up products and brands more easily.
Reduces “external” costs incurred by industrial agriculture, where negative impacts on soil, water, air, and human health are paid for by later by governments and taxpayers.
How can we help?
Schedule in weekly meal planning: when we plan meals we are less likely to buy excess food, which often goes to waste. Meal planning doesn’t have to take hours, simply allocate 30mins once or twice weekly.
Prioritize whole foods: enjoying a whole-food diet means choosing foods that have not been processed and/or refined.
Invest in a home compost: setting up a compost bin is an inexpensive way to make sure food scraps do not go to waste and instead are recycled into nutrient-rich soil for your garden or home-grown food.
Reduce food packaging where possible: when purchasing food think about how it is packaged and opt for more sustainable options
Why is it important?
Sustainable agriculture refers to farming that is good for the environment, animals, and people. This approach recognizes that the earth needs to be in good health because it must continue to provide for future generations. This type of farming is based on a whole ecosystem approach, not focused just on the individual product —like vegetables, meat, eggs, etc.— but on investing in a healthy system overall — a more sustainable food system — including the wellbeing of people and animals, community health, ecological health, and soil health.
Sustainable agriculture also doesn’t rely on adding in “external inputs” such as synthetic fertilizer and pesticides. This helps farmers be less reliant on buying things off-farm. This approach makes use of its own “outputs” by composting the crop waste (stalks, stubble, leaves, etc.), and applying animal manure as fertilizer onto fields. It is a “closed-loop cycle” that builds soil health, clean water systems, and biodiversity rather than depleting them. If done right, it can even use those healthy soils to trap carbon, helping to slow climate change.
The way we choose to shop and eat has put a great deal of stress on our planet and the environment. We need to ensure a sustainable environment for the future and this is currently under threat. Our current food system has contributed to climate change, deforestation, soil loss, and soil pollution, alongside a huge demand on water supply, pollution, and exploitation of certain species such as fish, to name a few.
Understanding food sustainability and environmental sustainability and what we need to do will help to ensure food security for us and our future generations.
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Written by Prapthi Manjunath, India
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