Sustainable Eating
Save food miles and celebrate local food
Did you know that the food industry is by far the largest indirect contributor to UK carbon emissions? The whole food supply chain is a huge user of fossil fuel from the fertilizers used on the fields to customers’ cars driving to supermarkets. One aspect is the emissions associated with ‘food miles’, the distances that food is transported from the producer to the consumer.
To reduce our food miles, we can all try to source food more locally. Healthy local and seasonal food can be found at Farmers’ markets and local produce retailers across the District. The food comes to you ripe, fresh and full of flavour. Close-to-home foods can also be bred for taste, rather than withstanding the abuse of shipping or industrial harvesting.
Every autumn, you can join in our month long celebration of local food at the Horsham District Food and Drink Festival. Or, why not try growing your own?
You do not need a large garden, in fact you need surprisingly little space. Balconies, patios or even a windowsill also offer the opportunity to grow a wide range of vegetables, salads and herbs. There are also a number of allotment sites across the District if you would like more space to grow your own. Another alternative is landshare. Landshare brings together people who have a passion for home-grown food, connecting those who have land to share with those who need land for cultivating food.
Who would have thought that saving carbon could be so enjoyable and tasty!