Page 5 - 2025 Spring 01 English

The impact of the

food we eat Where it comes from
A recent study showed that only 6% of the
vegetables on Welsh school menus were grown
in Wales! Although it’s unrealistic that all our
food can be sourced locally, the more ‘food
Whether through its stages of production, transportation, miles’ we can reduce, generally the lower the
impact on our environment.
or how much is wasted between the farm and the bin, the
food we consume is currently responsible for around one
quarter of all greenhouse gasses emitted. When we buy the food

While this is extremely significant in terms of our impact on Choosing food that is grown in season avoids
the planet, it is also an area that we can easily take action to the demand for energy-consuming heated
improve. Here are some factors to consider: greenhouses or long-distance transportation

from warmer climates. Preserving foods by

How it is grown pickling, drying or making the most of your
freezer are all great ways of ensuring different
Intensive farming has led to the destruction of wetlands, foods are available year-round. While things
forests, and meadows, which are home to a wide variety of like pulses and grains can be stored for months
species. This is true for farming in Wales as well as further without additional processing!
afield where incredibly important tropical forests grow.

The use of pesticides and artificial fertilisers over time can
have a detrimental impact on the health of our soils and Who has grown the food
ecosystems. By choosing Fair Trade products (like chocolate or coffee),

Regenerative and organic farming are alternative ways of we can make sure that the people who grow
producing food that are kinder to nature, and pick the foods we enjoy are paid fairly
while helping to encourage healthy soil that and treated well. This in turn allows their
retains its carbon capturing power. communities to thrive and their land to be
looked after properly. The same is true for
supporting farmers and growers in Wales; by
ensuring they are given a fair price for their
produce.