JOURNEY TO FOOD SUSTAINABILITY

Food waste is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and a shift in our food habits and consumption patterns can have a profound effect on our ecological footprint. Roughly one-third of all food produced for human consumption is lost or wasted annually. In South Africa, this waste is estimated at around 10,3 million tonnes per year and amidst this excess, nearly 20 million people suffer from hunger daily.

Although online shopping is convenient, its environmental costs, from the excess packaging to emissions from delivery vehicles, comes at a high environmental price. We don’t just consume food; we consume the resources used to produce, process and transport that food. Thus, every decision we make, from the type of food we buy to where we buy it from, has an environmental consequence. By opting for local produce, we not only support our local economy but also reduce the carbon footprint associated with long-distance food transportation.

The journey towards a sustainable food system starts with understanding our role and our power in shaping it. By making sustainability a personal commitment, we not only lighten our environmental footprint but also influence those around us to do the same.

SA Harvest is a food rescue and hunger relief organisation rescuing nutritious food and delivering it to where it’s needed most. Excess or imperfect products are donated to it for distribution to food vulnerable communities across the country.

www.saharvest.org