Food

Sustainable Food Systems: 6 Ways To Improve Them

Having a sustainable food system nowadays is of great importance. We are faced with numerous dangers caused due our careless lifestyles. People have started to take care of the environment in many ways, such as reducing plastic waste that is harmful to our planet. Our planet is our only home, and it is time we start taking good care of it.

One of the ways to keep our planet clean is a sustainable food system. However, what is this system exactly? It includes many processes related to food production, from the seed to the plates. The sustainable food system is not just about keeping our planet healthier but also about economic and social justice.

Luckily, there are ways to make the food system more sustainable, as presented below.

Purchase from sustainable farms

When shopping for food in your hometown, consider purchasing local produce grown and developed using sustainable farming practices. These practices are the cornerstone of any sustainable food system. Sustainable farming is the best way to approach growing food as it is more natural. It preserves the fertility of the soil, prevents excess water usage, and promotes biodiversity.

Some sustainable framing practices include (but are not limited to) aquaponics, where food is grown in aquariums with fish, urban agriculture, where food is developed in urban areas, permaculture, food forests, etc.

Purchasing food grown using these practices will further help in promoting this type of agriculture.

Sustainable Food Systems

Grow your own food

If you have the conditions for growing your food, you might be one step ahead in the sustainable food system. If you don’t have a garden or live in an apartment, you can grow some vegetables inside. It’s a good idea to try to produce something of your own.

This home production will be enough for your needs. Moreover, the fruits and vegetables you grow in your own home will be healthier than the store-bought ones because you probably won’t use as many chemicals.

Support small producers

Sometimes, the only choice that food producers have is to sell their products to bigger companies. Many of these people don’t have enough assets to start their businesses and earn a profit for themselves. However, you can help with this problem.

Purchasing food from small producers can make a difference and improve the food system’s sustainability. By supporting small and local producers, you will help the new generations of farmers, and you will be able to buy cleaner and healthier food. Your mindful purchase can help with the general issue of making the food system sustainable.

Sustainable Food Systems

Protect Agricultural land

Many farmers across the globe decided to sell their land because they ran out of business. The food production industry is a difficult job, and we understand that it is sometimes unmanageable. However, when these people sell their land, it will most likely be used as a construction site for a new industry.

It is vital to keep the land we have for producing food. To protect the land, you can protest against building new industries and support agricultural purposes. When someone buys land suitable for growing food, there is no need to ruin it and create something that will further endanger our planet.

Avoid food wastage

Wasting food has become one of the biggest problems of the present day. Around one-third of all food is thrown away or wasted. Food wastage can cause severe problems for our planet since it can create greenhouse gas emissions, increasing global warming.

To reduce food waste problems, buy only the amount of food you need and nothing more. It is always better to run to the store and buy more if needed than to throw your food away. It might seem like you are throwing away small amounts of food, but that amount is also dangerous. We can make the planet healthier one step at a time.

Sustainable Food Systems

Educate yourself and others

To make the food system sustainable, we need to get the word out and educate people about all the dangers we face. More people should know how vital it is to make our food system sustainable for the environment and people. Many people worldwide are unaware that food can cause significant societal problems, and you should educate others about it.

Moreover, by spreading the word, you will get more people to start living a sustainable lifestyle. If all of us took matters into our own hands, we would surely make our planet a better home for our families.

Conclusion

A sustainable food system can cause many troubles in our society and on our planet. Food waste can represent one of the best friends of global warming. However, people have started to pay attention to the food system’s sustainability. We have covered some things you can do to change the food system.

The food producers and our planet will thank you if you follow these steps. Moreover, you can go one step at a time to make a visible change. The crucial thing is to spread the word and make others aware of the food system’s impact.

Food

America’s French Fry King Sounds An Alarm

Americans are revolting against McDonald’s and other fast-food establishments. This is harming French fry suppliers like Lamb Weston.

Lamb Weston, North America’s largest manufacturer of french fries and a significant supplier to fast-food chains, restaurants, and grocery stores, is closing a production facility in Washington state. Last week, the company stated that it would lay off almost 400 employees, or 4% of its workforce, and temporarily shut down manufacturing lines in response to falling customer demand.

Lamb Weston (LW) shares have plummeted 35% this year.

America’s French Fry King Sounds An Alarm

The potato giant is oversupplied at a time when demand is low. In recent years, restaurant prices have risen faster than grocery store prices, prompting shoppers to avoid fast-food establishments.

This move has had an impact on Lamb Weston because individuals are less inclined to prepare French fries at home. According to Lamb Weston, fast-food restaurants account for around 80% of all french fries consumed in the United States.

Fast-food restaurants, such as McDonald’s, are offering bargain menus to entice customers back. McDonald’s has introduced a $5 meal that contains a McDouble cheeseburger or a McChicken sandwich, small french fries, four chicken nuggets, and a small soft drink. However, these promotions are not benefiting Lamb Weston because customers are purchasing fewer portions of fries.

“Many of these promotional meal deals have consumers trading down from a medium fry to a small fry,” Lamb Weston CEO Thomas Werner stated during an earnings call last week.

Lamb Weston did not immediately reply to CNN’s request for comment.

McDonald’s, Lamb Weston’s largest customer, accounts for 13% of revenue. As McDonald’s goes, so does Lamb Weston.

America’s French Fry King Sounds An Alarm

And McDonald’s is struggling. Sales at US restaurants open at least a year declined 0.7% last quarter compared to the same period a year ago, dragged down by fewer consumers visiting the brand.

Lamb Weston is also heavily exposed to other fast-food companies, according to analyst R.J. Hottovy of analytics firm Placer.ai, in a research note to clients last week.

Customer traffic to fast-food restaurants fell 2% last quarter and 3% the prior quarter compared to the same period last year, according to Lamb Weston.

SOURCE | CNN

Food

Logan Paul And MrBeast Have A Lunchables Competitor That They Say Is Healthy

YouTube’s top stars have launched their competitor to Lunchables.

MrBeast, Logan Paul, and KSI are collaborating on a “groundbreaking new better-for-you lunch option” called Lunchly, combining all their goods into a single meal geared at their younger fans.

The all-in-one meal includes a bottle of Prime Hydration, a sports drink alternative founded by Paul and KSI that has grown in popularity; a Feastables milk chocolate bar created by MrBeast, a popular YouTube star with over 300 million subscribers; and one of three processed food options, including pizza, nachos, or turkey aand cheese with crackers.

Logan Paul And MrBeast Have A Lunchables Competitor That They Say Is Healthy

“Our ultimate goal has always been to offer not only high-quality products, but also healthier alternatives,” Lunchly cofounder Logan Paul stated in a press release. He also stated that the school lunch industry has been “dominated by Lunchables” since he was a child, and that it is “time to provide a better option for those looking for a convenient, healthier choice.”

Lunchly promises to be “healthier” since Prime contains more electrolytes than a Capri Sun in Lunchables, and Mr. Beast’s chocolate bar contains less sugar than a Kit Kat or Crunch bar.

Lunchly’s launch comes after Lunchable, owned by Kraft Heinz, announced a huge initiative last year to participate in school lunch programs. However, the company had to reformulate the components first to guarantee that the items met regulatory rules, which included incorporating fresh fruit into their meals.

Consumer Reports reported in 2024 that it recently studied the nutritional profiles of two Lunchables kits supplied in schools and discovered that they contain significantly more sodium than the Lunchables kits available in stores.

Logan Paul And MrBeast Have A Lunchables Competitor That They Say Is Healthy

Of course, KSI, Paul, and MrBeast know how to create brands, thanks partly to their devoted following. Despite government worries about the caffeine content of some of its drinks, Prime sales have risen, threatening industry leaders such as Gatorade and BodyArmor.

“Prime brings a youthful buying cohort that hasn’t had a lot pitched their way beyond traditional kids’ drinks,” Jeffrey Klineman, editor-in-chief of BevNet, previously told CNN. “Paul is significantly more intriguing to a 13-year-old than a juice box.”

SOURCE | CNN

Food

Beyond Soups and Stews: Unexpected Ways to Utilize Your 5 Litre Pressure Cooker

Pressure cookers are very popular cooking utensils for preparing soups, stews, and tenderising meats in quick time. However, their versatility and uses go far beyond these traditional uses.

If you’re trying to use your 5 litre pressure cooker differently, you are at the right place, as we are going to explore unexpected and creative ways to use this essential kitchen utensil.

Infused oils and extract

You can use your pressure cooker to prepare infused oils and extracts. To do that, you have to put the herbs, spices, or citrus peels in a jar filled with oil or alcohol. Then, seal the jar and cook under low pressure for a short time to infuse the flavours uniformly.

By this method, you can extract intense flavours in a quick time as compared to what it takes through traditional infusion methods. You can also experiment with combinations like rosemary-infused olive oil or vanilla extract for baking.

Artisanal Curd Making

You can use your pressure cooker to prepare yoghurt. To do that you have to heat the milk to a proper and specific temperature, and then cool it down before adding yoghurt culture. After that, keep the mixture in jars, seal, and ferment in the pressure cooker with the use of the yoghurt setting. And yes, after that, you will have creamy, homemade yoghurt at a much lower cost than store-bought varieties. You can add up your yoghurt, various flavours and toppings for a healthy breakfast or snack option.

Quick pickling

You can also prepare quick pickles using your pressure cooker. For doing that combine the ingredients such as vinegar, water, salt, and your choice of vegetables or fruits in the cooker.

Now, after that, cook under pressure for a few minutes to infuse the flavours rapidly.

Once it is done and cooled, your quick pickles will be ready to eat and enjoy, giving a taste of tangy flavour to sandwiches, salads, or charcuterie boards. You can do this using different spices and herbs to prepare unique flavour profiles for your pickles.

Steaming vegetables and seafood

You can use your pressure cooker’s steaming capabilities to cook vegetables and seafood very easily and quickly. To do that, you have to place a steamer basket inside the cooker, add water, and put your ingredients.

Then, after that, cook under pressure for a few minutes to keep the nutrients intact and also get the perfect tenderness. From crisp-tender asparagus to succulent shrimp, the possibilities of preparing the dishes are many. You can add different flavours using aromatic herbs, spices, and citrus zest.

Homemade bread and desserts

You can amaze your family with freshly baked bread and delicious desserts that can easily be prepared in your pressure cooker. To do that, use the cooker as a makeshift oven by placing a trivet inside and also adding water to it.

After that, you have to place your bread dough or dessert batter in a heat-proof container, cover it, and then cook under low pressure. In very little time, you will get tender bread or delicious desserts without even messing up the kitchen. You can also try various other recipes like chocolate lava cake or savoury herb bread for a delightful treat.

One-pot pasta dishes

You can easily prepare one-pot pasta dishes that are cooked perfectly in your pressure cooker. To do that you have to combine pasta, sauce, vegetables, and protein in the cooker, and also remember to check and put enough liquid for cooking. Then, seal and cook under pressure for a few minutes. This will allow the flavours to get mixed beautifully.

And with this, from classic spaghetti marinara to creamy Alfredo, your pressure cooker can do it all. You can enhance your pasta with your favourite ingredients and garnishes.

Conclusion on a pressure cooker

Cooking indeed is a creative method. Do justice to your creative culinary spirit with your 5-litre pressure cooker. Bake bread, make homemade yoghurt, and make several main dishes as well as side dishes using a wide pressure cooker.

Impress everyone and yourself! Make the best out of your culinary instincts.

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