FOOD + DRINK change your habits , change the world cont .
Fortunately , organisations like Greenpeace are fighting the food slavery fight and helping improve conditions for poorly treated food industry workers through engagement with governments all over the world , and there ’ s nothing stopping any of us lending our support too . Knowledge is power where this is concerned and there is a wealth of information out there , so arm yourself with it and choose to buy food from ethically sound sources with a trusted environmental and social track record .
Value your food , not your savings
This is a tough one for most of us , especially in light of the government ’ s constant calls for austerity that ring in our ears ( whether we like it or not ), but Gillian McKeith called it back in the 90s and she was right : we really are what we eat , and in the main , better food costs more money .
We ’ re not suggesting you splurge and be frivolous ; buying big name brands or suddenly developing a penchant for white truffles – but while buying whole , local food will likely dent your wallet a little more , the health benefits you ’ ll receive from it will far outweigh how much you paid for it and you ’ ll be supporting local , hardworking farmers in the process . Anyone with a conscience who ’ s watched Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall gallantly giving intensively farmed chickens a voice , or Jamie Oliver fighting against appalling school dinners can ’ t deny that they ’ ve both got a point . Simple steps like buying free-range eggs and chicken will take a while to get used to financially , but will help to put a stop to the ceaseless production of low-quality , nutrient-poor food and will also encourage your children to make better food choices along the line – an organic banana , or a turkey twizzler ? I know which I ’ d rather see my kids eating .
You can also think about upping your shopping budget as donating money , albeit not in the traditional sense . Paying more for fresh , local fruit and vegetables ensures the growers who ’ ve got them to market in the first place can continue tending their crops ; pay a premium for fair-trade certification on things like sugar and tea and you ’ re guaranteed that the harvesters who gathered it are being paid a fair wage in return ; and when it comes to animal products , a higher price tag is an indication that they ’ ve been raised humanely .
Bully for us Brits , the signs are all there that as a nation , we are becoming more prudent about what we put on our plates ; our consumption of fruit has increased by 50 percent since 1974 and the internet can bring high-quality , nutrient-rich food to our doors at the click of a button . Likewise , eating locally is becoming easier with food festivals and farmers ’ markets popping up all over the place . When it comes to our eating habits , we have a lot more power to make positive global changes than it may seem – think before you eat and you ’ re helping not only yourself , but the rest of the world too .
50