Choices 5. Food in an Uncertain World

Where does our food come from?

How can we change our shopping, cooking and eating habits to be more resilient to risks to food supply and also better for our health, wealth and the planet?

 

In this episode we focus on the food system, adaptation planning, life cycle analysis, food miles and touch upon market pricing and public goods

 

The first COVID19 lockdown in the UK made us more aware that we are part of a very complex food system. It is a system that is increasingly subject to more shocks – not only Covid19 but also climate change and Brexit. In fact, given that the UK imports nearly half of its food (and, in the process, exporting the impacts of production), the whole system is worth exploring even in the best of times.

In this first of two food episodes, we discuss our reliance on a small number of food sources; how to weigh up the environmental, health and cost considerations and how we can provide for ourselves in times of uncertainty. We also touch upon how good nutrition and equal access to food are public goods that deserve government support.

We cover

1. Storing
2. Growing
3. Re-thinking sources – food miles and country of origin are important but so is how the food is produced – about which there needs to be more information for the consumer
4. Eating differently – adding variety to the meals you cook
5. Wasting less – learning to cook differently, and being mindful of best before and use by labels; false economy of bulk buying that leads to waste

 

In the next episode on food, in December, we will look into what we eat and its impacts.

 

 

Key references we used for this episode are listed in our website – jointhedotspodcast/food-1

***The views we and our guests express in this podcast are our own***