A food system is a complex network of systems that produce food, from the growing, harvesting, processing, packaging, transporting, marketing, consumption, distribution of food to its ultimate landfill disposal or diversion. The UN Food & Agriculture Organization describes a sustainable food system is a food system that produces delivers food security and nutrition for all in such a way that the economic, social and environmental bases to generate food security and nutrition for future generations are not compromised, where:
It is profitable throughout (economic sustainability)
It has broad-based benefits for society (social sustainability), and
It has a positive or neutral impact on the natural environment (environmental sustainability).
A major study published by the journal Science calculated the average greenhouse gas emissions associated with different foods and found that plant-based foods have a significantly lower impact than meat, especially when considering beef and lamb. Check out this short quiz to see how your diet contributes to climate change. The good news is that many of us can reduce our impact by just choosing foods that are less carbon-intensive!
Happy Planet - Healthy Human
Eating less meat and more healthy plant-based foods can help reduce the incidence of chronic preventable diseases, preserve precious land and water resources, and combat climate change. Consider subscribing to the Meatless Mondays Newsletter for plant-based recipes delivered right to your inbox every Meatless Monday morning!
