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The impact on the surrounding flora and fauna, waterways, air and sound quality is also considered. This includes the use of energy in transportation and storage. The use of the earth’s finite resources is also considered. It also minimises its contribution to climate change throughout the whole production process. Sustainable food aims to avoid damaging or wasting natural resources. They also tend to manage pests with natural predators, plow their fields less and integrate crops and livestock. Planting varied crops helps with soil fertility and biodiversity. These include crop rotation and avoiding the use of monocrops. It also avoids the use of artificial fertilisers and pesticides as well as genetically modified organisms.įarms that are sustainable also make use of better farming practices. Sustainable agriculture supports organic and low carbon food production. Thankfully an increased number of farms and farmers are moving to more sustainable farming practices. Sustainable farming also has to protect soil fertility for future food production. It has to be beneficial to plants, animals and the environment. This means it will protect the diversity of our native plants and animals while meeting the needs of the farm and its production system.įarming that aims to be sustainable has to protect biodiversity. Such farming requires an understanding of the surrounding ecosystem.
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Sustainable farming aims to maintain or increase output, while increasing the environmental benefits. But this doesn’t have to mean mass scale food production that’s bad news for animals and the environment. Otherwise, farmers and producers would go out of business. Although most definitions cover the following factors: Sustainable Farming Practicesįood production needs to be profitable. There is no one truth when it comes to defining food sustainability. This iframe contains the logic required to handle Ajax powered Gravity Forms. 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 isn’t only about the food itself. So let’s fix that by looking at what food sustainability really means. It’s a hugely important concept but one that has started to lose its meaning. One that is used (and often abused) in many different contexts. The trouble is, sustainability has become a bit of a buzzword lately. We could answer our “does this align with my values” questions more quickly. It would allow us to weigh up products and brands more easily. Having a better understanding of what makes a food sustainable could help us all make more informed decisions. Even for those of us who wish to live more planet-friendly lives. Our decisions are based on convenience, taste and price. Food sustainability isn’t often at the forefront of our minds. As we walk the supermarket aisles, we’re usually looking for our favourite products and culinary inspiration.
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