Meat & Dairy
Meat and dairy products are among the most energy & greenhouse-gas intensive food products. The meat industry contributes 40% more than all forms of transport combined. On top of this livestock uses 70% of agricultural land world wide (30% of the Earth’s land surface), yet provides a fraction of the calories (per unit of land) compared to cereals or vegetables, which contributes to malnutrition & food insecurity.
Whilst focusing on climate change, it is also crucial not to loose sight of other ethical food issues. The problems of food and climate change need to be tackled in partnership with, rather than separate from, other pressing social, ethical and environmental problems... including the welfare of animals.
Leading by Example:
Oldham Council (who provide around 14,000 school meals daily for 98 schools) was awarded the ‘Good Egg Award’ in 2010 from Compassion in World Farming for its decision to ban eggs from battery hens and serve ‘cruelty-free’ grub to schoolchildren.
Meanwhile, Manchester City Council's in-house caterer: Manchester Fayre have endorsed one day a week when meat will not be on your child’s school menu.