Have Yourself a Sustainable Christmas
Hampshire Fare’s guide to a Greener Christmas in five steps
ONE: Turkey, hams, pigs in blankets can all be bought from local traditional butchers, farm shops, farmers market or even from the farm gate. This helps to ensure you are supporting local farmers who produce the meats by working with nature. For example, look out for grass-fed meats and don’t be afraid to ask your butcher or the farmer questions; they will also enjoy sharing their knowledge.
TWO: Shop seasonally. Check where your fruit and veg has been grown and buy local and British wherever possible. Local seasonal produce also has far more flavour - in part because it is fresher having travelled fewer food miles, which is far better for the planet.
THREE: Planning your menus helps to reduce waste and saves money. Take ten minutes to work out what you are going to cook, and check your store cupboards before writing out a shopping list; then place orders or buy items ahead of time. This helps to avoid those last minute panics when you spend too much money buying more than you need! Ordering in advance also helps local farmers, producers and independent retailers to plan, leading to less waste in the food chain.
FOUR: Be creative with leftovers. This doesn’t need to be complicated. Cooked meats from Christmas Day are delicious as cold cuts for an Boxing Day spread. Meat bones and vegetable leaves and stalks can be turned into stocks and soups (Southern Co-op provide easy to follow guidance HERE). Otherwise make bubble and squeak, casseroles, curries and pies with leftover meats and vegetables. Don’t forget to use your freezer to store any leftovers. Using everything is a clever way of saving money and feeling virtuous as you go into the New Year!
FIVE: Conscious gifting helps to make a difference to both the local environment and local businesses. Buy local products and shop locally. Look for eco-friendly businesses – eg skincare using natural ingredients, or food and drink businesses with credentials such as B-corp certification or Zero Waste initiatives. Local gifts can be both useful and really special top quality treats - from luxurious handmade soaps to artisan gins with foraged botanicals, fudge to fizz.
Remember: buy local, buy less, buy better.
Picture: Turkey and the trimmings provided by Cobbs Farm Shop.