ASKING FOR IT

Arm yourself with these questions and make every trip to the supermarket a more ethical one

WAS IT ETHICALLY PRODUCED?

Anything with organic certification has come from farms with higher animal welfare standards and will be free from pesticides. Standards have to be higher in order for the farm to be awarded this certification. The Fairtrade logo is another useful one, as it tells you the food producers are getting a fair deal for the products they sell.

IS IT IN SEASON IN THE UK?

While lowering your food miles isn’t a fail-safe method of reducing your environmental footprint, buying ingredients that are in season in the UK is an easy way to reduce your environmental footprint. Visit eatseasonably.co.uk to find out what’s in season right now.

WHERE DOES IT COME FROM?

If it isn’t in season in the UK, look for the country of origin. While a higher mileage doesn’t always mean a higher environmental impact – tomatoes grown in Spain have a lower footprint than those grown in the UK, for example – if your baby corn is coming from India and your mangetout from Peru, the chances are they could be swapped out for something a little closer to home.

CAN I BUY IT LOOSE?

For fruit and veg, the answer is probably yes, as plastic-wrapped and loose options often sit beside each other. Buying meat, fish or cheese? Visit the respective counters (you’ll find these in the larger supermarkets) or buy directly from an independent butcher.

CAN I EAT IT AGAIN?

By all means, eat your leftovers for lunch the next day, but think more creatively, too. Leftover meat and veg can make a great stock, pickling on-the-turn veg can make it last for months and freezing leftovers in individual portions means you’ll never be without a home-cooked ready meal.