The Hawksworth's August Diary - Food Miles
| Published: 2nd October 2007 16:36 |
Food Miles
So what's that all about... a science within itself we found!
Now if someone was to mention "Food Miles" what picture does it conjure up? A crate of fruit on a boat from the Caribbean, a carcase of Beef perhaps being shipped from Argentina! A lorry load of goods arriving at the local Co-Op!
Well all things contribute, but yes it's a science within itself when it comes to adding the Miles it takes to get it on your plate and the Carbon Footprint it produces!
You have to ask if we were to grow Banana's here in Castle Donington, would creating a tropical greenhouse and heating it, be more effective than shipping the goods in from the Dominican Republic? Other facts also to consider - many such countries rely on the trade of exporting such goods, so as a world economy it could have a major effect on other people's lives!
On this occasion and to highlight the subject for the necessary VT for the live day, it was a trip to Sainsbury's with Carol and Olivia, with also a visit to local allotments on Stonehill, Castle Donington with the Cub Scout Gardening Club.
VT Day (Video Tape to you and me!)
Carol, Olivia, Dave the Cameraman and Sally the producer all meet up at the local Sainsbury's at the Wyvern - their remit - to put together a suitable menu for a typical Sunday Roast! Hmmmm Hmm!
Carol was mic'd up and off she went with a cameraman in stealth mode capturing the comments and moments of the shop!
Once all trolleyed up and paid for - back home and then myself and Jacob off to the allotment to meet up with Lorraine and Lisa - the local Akela's of our Cub packs and a selection of cub scouts to dig up some of the home grown produce!
Jacob managed to impale some poor unsuspecting potatoes and Liam and the guys rustled up some carrots, runner beans and peas.
(The local scout group by the way, engage some of the volunteering Cubs and Scouts to manage and keep the allotment in an effort to educate them about food, where it comes from and the fun in growing your own. In turn the food grown is harvested and used on our Cub Scout Camping outings - recently in Tansley Wood, Matlock we had home grown Spuds, Carrots and Peas! Yummy!)
Back to the plot ... During this bit of horticultural fun, poor Carol is stuck in the kitchen getting the meal ready for some more filming later... it's not easy this movie lark ... forever on the go or working to a timetable !!
Anyway.... A little more filming and it's Grub Up! Then once we are all sat down, we make that a "wrap" and Dave and Sally join us in a nice family dinner. Which I have to say was "Fantastic!"
Thumbs up on the Yorkshire Puds as well ! And then home made Fruit Cocktail for sweet.....
Live Day
Venue: Manor Farm Organic Farm Shop in Long Whatton.
For once - a beautiful Sunny morning, wonderful surroundings and hot bread from the bakery.
We were greeted by Graeme and Vivienne Matravers and a fantastic array of produce and meats. Declan donned in a butchers hat and coat looking the part!
The Farm shop has its own bakery .... the smell was just fantastic almost as good as the taste! We were treated to freshly baked sausage rolls and suchlike for breakfast!
Olivia, Jacob and Fraser donned their pinnies and got to do some live filming with them working some dough and then these were put in the oven for later... yum yum! We fed the chickens etc, and with the children and Declan the goats and horses, it was truly an idyllic morning and we have fond memories of this occasion.
So, what were the results of all that prior shopping?
We were surprised that the actual food miles difference between the food we put on the table at home and the local farm shop was minimal! But the actual Carbon Footprint was double from the supermarket goods.
The figures....courtesy of the Beeb
"The Hawksworths' food miles for their roast dinner added up to 23,376 miles, or 37,620km. That's the equivalent of 6.947.kg of CO2.
Using products bought from a local farm shop, the Hawksworths would have used just 3.97kg of CO2."
Perhaps like us you are still a bit confused...
Roughly the same miles but bigger Carbon Footprints!
So buying locally grown produce and meats is better for your carbon footprint! Yes, local farm shop food can be a little more expensive, but tastes generally better and the packaging is minimal. So saves on your waste as well! It can also be a social occasion - you are far more likely to meet local people, catch up on local gossip and feel more of a community spirit with the added bonus of supporting your local industries and doing your bit for the planet.
As a large family it's not always possible to get or indeed budget to shop locally but I would suggest that if you can - do! We will make the effort to get a Sunday joint and the trimmings at least once a month ... as it really is "Fantastic Food!"
If it's a supermarket visit, try and buy British and local (most supermarkets label vegetables and the meat counter should stock Scottish or English beef!)
Although during this project I was surprised just how sparse and loose some of the origins were detailed on the dry and canned foods! So perhaps if you do try this experiment yourselves you will find just how difficult it can be!
Special thanks to ...
- Graeme and Vivienne for making us so welcome at The Manor Farm Shop
- And Sainsbury's for accommodating our filmed shop. (Carol is getting recognised at the food counters now... so embarrassing!)
- Also to our local Cub Scout group who are just so much fun to be with.
Useful Links
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/breakfast/6902850.stm
for the Breakfast Food Miles page and Video stream link.
http://www.manororganicfarm.co.uk/ManorOrganicFarm_FarmShop.htm
Manor Farm Organic Farm Shop
http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/food_matters/foodmiles.shtml
A BBC web page detailing facts and topics relating to Food Miles. - worth a read!
http://www.sainsburys.co.uk/home.htm
Sainsburys Home website.
http://www.organic-store.co.uk/
Find your own Local Organic Shop
I have set up a temporary email address for those wishing to seek any further advice or submit useful ideas - please feel to contact us HFM@ntlworld.com
Paul & "The Hawksworth's"
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