It seems to sneak up earlier every year, but around here the fairy-lights are going up, the malls are piping out Christmas crooners, and even my family has started rummaging in the attic for wreaths and swags. We have plenty of festive feasts marked on the calendar, too - from work team lunch to festive family fun days at the kids’ schools.
Although it’s a time for excess and gay abandon, as a nation we’re going to be getting through a lot of food over the coming weeks, and it’s worth thinking about how it might affect nature. With reference to these tips from the RSPB’s award-winning reserve cafes, here are a few tips for making your Christmas shopping basket kinder to nature.
1. Buy seasonal and local
Embrace the Brussels sprouts! They’re a natural winter crop (in fact, I have several stems of sprouts ‘fattening up’ in my vegetable beds as we speak, ready for the big day), so growers won’t have to deploy artificial techniques to grow them. Potatoes, parsnips, celeriac, swede, carrots, leeks, chestnuts, pears, red and white cabbage, kale and other greens – as well as turkey, mackerel, lamb and pheasant – are also good local choices at this time of year. They also won’t use up loads of fossil fuels by being transported long distances. If you’re near a farmer’s market, go there for great local produce - but you can also search for UK-grown produce in supermarkets.
2. Buy organic
Organic food is grown without artificial chemicals - basically as it was for thousands of years until the agricultural revolution of the mid-20th century. Organic arable land is often friendlier for wildlife, the lack of chemicals allowing for more insects to support birds and other wildlife. Look for certified organic labels and hallmarks such as Fair to Nature, Leaf or Pasture Fed - all produced in wildlife-friendly ways.
3. Reduce waste
Do you really need that plastic bag for your loose veg? Maybe you can just pop them all on the scales at the till and they’ll survive the journey home rattling round in your bag-for-life… or bring a little muslin bag along to scoop them into. Food wrappers are designed to be used for two seconds, but will last for centuries and, if not recycled, they could end up blown into waterways and thence the sea, where they kill seabirds and other marine life. It also uses up fossil fuel and adds to your food prices. If you can buy and transport your food without plastic, give it a go - and let the retailer know how you feel about it. I don’t know about you, but I get ‘cucumber rage’ whenever I have to do battle with a plastic cucumber wrap that’s snugger than Mick Jagger’s trousers, that I never wanted in the first place, and usually risk injury to remove just so I can throw it in the bin!
4. More veg, less meat
It’s healthier for you, healthier for nature. Animal agriculture is a leading contributor to greenhouse gases and climate change, and also drives deforestation of tropical forests. Did you know that the vast majority of the global soya crop is grown to produce animal feed, which is then fed to farm animals around the world? So, surround your centrepiece with a rainbow of interesting veg dishes. Our traditional Christmas table typically groans with super-crispy potatoes; chilli-roasted sprouts in pomegranate and maple syrup; honey-glazed parsnips; nutmeggy swede mash; braised red cabbage with apple, red wine and cranberry; carrots with cumin; leeks in creamy white wine, and anything else we can cobble together. I’m ravenous just thinking about it.
So there are four easy ways to do something good for the nature you love, while also enjoying the festive season to the full!
Look out for more festive fun from the Nature’s Home team in the weeks ahead.