Food
From ACT GreenGuide
The foods we eat have further reaching consequences than we care to think about. How the food is produced, where it comes from, and how it is packaged determine these consequences. A lot of the fruit and vegetables in Canberra supermarkets travel via Sydney wholesale markets (even if it’s grown near Canberra), meaning they use lots of fuel to reach you, not to mention the pesticides and fertilisers that were used to grow them, and the fossil fuels used to make the packaging they come in. As consumers, we should examine our eating habits and the impact that they have on our environment. Some ways in which we can do this are:
- Grow your own - you know what goes into or onto the food, freshness is guaranteed, there is no transport involved, you can ‘reap what you’ve sown,’ it tastes better, and gardening helps you stay sane - see the garden section in this chapter.
- Buying food produced locally supports local business and local producers, rather than big agricultural corporations. You are also reducing the transport of produce, which reduces the pollution created. The further that goods have to come, the more fossil fuels are required for refrigeration and transport.
- Buying food in season. If your food is not in season, then it has been either refrigerated for a long period of time or transported a long distance, perhaps from country to country. The best way to find out what is in season is to ask a greengrocer. Besides, fresh produce tastes better anyway!
Why organic?
The basis of organic agriculture is that a healthy plant grows from healthy soil, and is inherently resistant to pests and disease if a sensible regime of rotation and companion planting is practiced. “Organic” means that no synthetic herbicides, pesticides or fertilisers are used in any stage of production. In growing food without these artificial substances, growers rely on long-term soil fertility. Hence, they must replenish organic matter and nutrients, balance mineral levels and sustain microorganism activity. The quality of our land, air, and water can be contributed to and improved by organic agricultural methods. Animals, as well as plants, can be raised using these methods. This means that no antibiotics, hormone stimulants or growth regulators are given to the animals. These animals have generally happier lives, and are free from the traces of the pharmaceuticals fed to animals in factory farms, and that their manure was used to fertilise the land rather than ending up polluting the water supplies. What a bargain!
A problem with the use of synthetic chemicals is biomagnification: the increase in the toxicity of a chemical as it ascends the food chain. Organic foods taste better as there are more nutrients available in the soil; a wider diversity of plant varieties is encouraged which is also a blessing for our palette and fruit and vegetables are ripened naturally. There are several organic certification schemes in Australia that may help you recognise organic products. Look out for BFA, NASAA, OHGA and Demeter logos or names on product labels, which require farmers, processors and retailers to follow certain practices. Some of these organisations have different levels of certification (eg, “Grade A” and “Grade B”), which correspond to already established organic practices and those undergoing conversion. Either way, you know you’re supporting people trying to operate sustainably if you’re buying certified products. Remember, though, that certification costs money, and that some local producers may not be certified although they’re doing as much as anybody else. Why not go out to the farm yourself and see, and get to meet the person who makes your food?
Saving Waste
If you go to the fruit and veggie markets in Fyshwick or Belconnen on Sunday afternoons you can pick up the produce that would otherwise be thrown out quite cheaply. This is good for those on a tight budget and helps reduce waste.... as well as your weekly food needs you could also try making jam and chutney with the fruits and vegies that are more ripe for jamming than anything else.
Canberra has lots of fruit trees around if you take the time to look... you might find, plums, nectarines, peaches, apples, figs, oranges, lemons, blackberries or fijoa... a lot of these trees are in peoples back yards but there are plenty scattered around parks, shopping centres and schools... and if you see some in someone’s front yard, go and ask them you would be surprised how many people don’t eat the food they having growing so near and are only to happy to give some away... maybe you could take them a jar of marmalade made from the fruit of their trees in exchange...
Dumpster diving, the practice of reclaiming perfectly edible food from supermarket (or other food store) dumpsters is a great and cheap way to reduce waste. Disclaimer: this website, its owners and its authors will be held in no way responsible or liable for injury or possible legal proceedings brought against anyone dumpster diving as a result of reading this site!
Recipes
For some delicious recipes, or to contribute your own, go to http://www.greenguide.net.au/anuec/node/177
