sustainable food systems

What is a food system, What is a sustainable food system, The green new deal, Climate Change, Restaurant and Chefs affected by Climate Change, Benefits, How can we help

A “food system” is a broad term that describes anything involved in the production, distribution and consumption of food. This includes growing, raising, harvesting, processing, distributing, ensuring food safety, eating and even discarding of food. It also includes the connection of these processes and the people and resources that contribute to and are impacted by the food system. 

A sustainable food system is a type of food system that provides healthy food to people and creates sustainable environmental, economic, and social systems that surround food.  

 Sustainable food systems start with the development of sustainable agricultural practices, development of more sustainable food distribution systems, creation of sustainable diets, and reduction of food waste throughout the system. Sustainable food systems have been argued to be central to many or all 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

Moving to sustainable food systems, including via shifting consumption to sustainable diets, is an important component of addressing the causes of climate change and adapting to it. A 2020 review conducted for the European Union found that up to 37% of global greenhouse gas emissions could be attributed to the food system, including crop and livestock production, transportation, changing land use (including deforestation), and food loss and waste.[4] Reduction of meat production, which accounts for ~60% of greenhouse gas emissions and ~75% of agriculturally used land, is one major component of this change.

The global food system is facing major interconnected challenges, including mitigating food insecurity, effects from climate change, biodiversity loss, malnutrition, inequity, soil degradation, pest outbreaks, water and energy scarcity, economic and political crises, natural resource depletion, and preventable ill-health.

The concept of sustainable food systems is frequently at the center of sustainability-focused policy programs, such as proposed Green New Deal programs.

The goal of the Green New Deal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in order to avoid the worst consequences of climate change while also trying to fix societal problems like economic inequality and racial injustice. 

The resolution uses as its guide two major reports issued last year by the United Nations and by federal scientists who warned that if global temperatures continue to rise, the world is headed for more intense heat waves, wildfires and droughts. The research shows that the United States economy could lose billions of dollars by the end of the century because of climate change. Currently, carbon emissions are rising, by 3.4 percent last year in the United States and by 2.7 percent globally, according to early estimates. 

Extreme drought can hurt chile pepper production, as the recent Sriracha shortage demonstrated. (The Mexican crop of red jalapenos that serve as the base for the spicy sauce was in very short supply.)

But for hot and spicy fans, chile peppers of all kinds are getting hotter because of climate change.

Swapping out beef for pork on the menu can also mitigate the effects of climate change—if it is done on a large scale. Beef cattle are ruminants and contribute methane to the atmosphere during digestion. That adds to greenhouse gas emissions. Since pigs don’t have that type of digestive system, pork is a climate-smarter choice.

Developing sustainable food systems requires action from all people involved. While individual efforts like recycling and reducing food waste are important, fundamental changes to the way food is produced, distributed and eaten, as well as changes to policies and infrastructure, also are needed to make lasting change. 

Here are two ways you can help: 

education

Learn about recycling programs and other opportunities to conserve resources in your community. If applicable, advocate for sustainability at your workplace or school by sharing your knowledge with others and proposing impactful changes such as placing recycling and composting bins in cafeterias and break areas.

Action

Taking steps to reduce food waste, such as meal planning before grocery shopping, embracing leftovers and composting are great ways to do your part in your own kitchen. Consider supporting and purchasing from food brands that incorporate sustainable practices into their production and distribution. Most companies have this information available on their website.

Together, individual actions in addition to large-scale changes at the local, state, federal and global levels can create a sustainable food system.

The key factors of a sustainable food system impact us in different ways. The economic, or financial, goal of a sustainable food system is to benefit everyone involved in the system. This includes providing livable wages for food system employees, tax profits for governments, profits for the businesses involved in the food system and safe, nutritious, affordable and available food for all.

The social aspect of a sustainable food system involves fairness and equity for all participants, including vulnerable and underrepresented groups. This means promoting good health among workers, respecting cultural traditions, providing a safe work environment and animal well-being.

The environmental goal of a sustainable food system is to achieve a neutral or positive effect on the natural environment. This includes retaining biodiversity (which refers to the variety of species in our food supply and environment), limiting water use, prioritizing the health of animals and plants, minimizing food loss and waste and cutting down the amount of carbon in the atmosphere that contributes to climate change.