Plenty of folks kick-start their year by going vegan with Veganuary. We won’t ever tell people how to eat, but we will use our expertise and experience to highlight some facts about food that might help you amplify the good you do.
Here are some facts about many foods that you might not know:
Many conventional/intensive farming methods cause loss of life, loss of habitat and loss of food sources for wildlife such as insects, birds and mammals. These are farms growing both vegan and non-vegan foods.
Eating vegan doesn’t protect you from highly processed foods (e.g. UPFs). These exist in both vegan and non-vegan diets.
Big companies are at the top of the long supply chains of many foods (both vegan and non-vegan). And that‘s not great for farmers or local communities, because less of the control and profits are in their hands.
But there is another way. Foods grown hand in hand with nature can address all these issues while you enjoy a vegan diet.
Farmers who work with nature’s systems and cycles are able to minimise the need for inputs such as synthetic fertiliser or pesticides. They protect and improve the soil (by keeping it covered and minimising disturbance.) Their healthy soils create habitat and food sources for many subterranean creatures, and in turn, those creatures become food for mammals and birds above ground. It’s the cycle of life!
These farmers are selling fresh, healthy ingredients for your recipes. Home-cooked meals with fresh ingredients are far better for you than any highly processed foods.
The supply chains of these farmers are often short, seasonal and local. That’s good for you, for the farmer and for the community!
In the supermarket, look for organic labels on pulses and on seasonal fruits and vegetables. Online you can look for producers that share these values such as Hodmedod's Wholefoods or Welcome to Open Food Network.
You can enjoy your Veganuary AND create positive lasting change by focusing on how your food is grown. Unravel Your Food is trying to make that easier for you. Bon Appetit!