Eating sustainably

New studies have shown that climate change will impact crop productivity and put additional strain on India’s water resources. To try and mitigate that, here are a few solid and immediate actions we could take to change the way we look at, grow, procure and consume food.

We’re no strangers to what everyone has been discussing for the past five years: the cost of living crisis. Climate change, specifically its impact on food inflation, is at the core of this issue. People eating less food due to rising prices is not just a unidimensional problem; the layers have a bearing on overall health indicators like nutrition, physical fitness, and mental well-being. Food inflation is estimated to increase by 2 per cent in India, with overall inflation by 1 per cent by 2035.

New studies have shown that climate change will impact crop productivity and put additional strain on India’s water resources: like droughts leading to an increase in the demand for clean water by up to 29.1 per cent by 2050. While all these statistics seem distant and heavy on our urban minds as we run up our food bills and miles, ordering groceries and produce, packaged food and cooked meals on our phones, there are a few solid and immediate actions we could take to change the way we look at, grow, procure and consume food. This is why I’m urging you to make a Sustainable Food Bucket List for 2025. Here are some pointers to help you:

Add more local elements to your food: Be it grains, legumes, vegetables or fruits. There are so many schools of thought that offer contradicting plans of action: eat local vs eat what you grew up eating, eat more local vegetables and fruits vs eat as many varieties of vegetables and fruits as possible, and so forth.

The key is to find a balance between all the available options based on your health and the conditions under which you receive your supplies (think frozen/ freshly harvested/pesticide residue/chemical-free/ soil health/ wages earned by farmers).

Stay on the seasonal fruit calendar: With wax-coated apples available all year through and mangoes making an appearance at odd times, pay closer attention to the fruits in your local market. I was driving through the city market area a few days ago and watermelons were everywhere. I’ve seen mangoes being sold at a premium in December, too. We could engage with our communities and especially children in a fun and meaningful way by making a seasonal fruit calendar and making a checklist of the best locally grown options across seasons, by visiting local mandis and farmers’ markets.

Pick sustainably caught fish: Overfishing and destructive practices are harming our marine ecosystems. By being less picky about the fish varieties we love to eat, there’s a plethora of regional/ local fish available. Not only does this help reduce the demand for the over-fished species, but it also offers a chance to learn local cooking methods, which scores big on the sustainability index.

Reduce consumption of red meat: Red meat options have a significantly higher carbon footprint than poultry. Consider reducing red meat consumption or opting for grass-fed varieties, or even choose to skip meat consumption every once in a while, which would in turn give you the chance to include one new local vegetable in your diet.

Reduce food waste: By simply making a weekly meal plan, becoming more focused on how you buy your produce, and cooking just the portions you absolutely need, you can reduce food waste, become more efficient in the kitchen, and develop a more intimate relationship with your food. Simple steps like composting, and giving away peels and pods of vegetables to local dairy farms, will go a long way in minimising food waste.

Minimise online orders: This will not only help keep your carbon footprint in check but also help reduce the amount of plastic waste you generate. Pick up your cloth bag, go to the local market and buy your supplies. If it helps, try to carpool with members in your community, or make a roster for people to shop for a cluster of families on designated days. This will also help you engage with your community in meaningful ways.

Grow at least one vegetable or herb this year: Start small, and you’ll see how your desire to grow your own food will escalate. Throw some locally sourced vegetable or herb seeds into a pot or garden patch. Pay attention to the growth cycle, and make sure you water the soil at least every two days. Once you harvest a bunch of tomatoes (easiest to grow) or mint, there’s no turning back.

Host a community potluck: This is a cool way to get to know your neighbours and also share recipes and stories about different cuisines/ traditional foods. It’s also a great way to document the recipes, reduce food wastage, foster a sense of shared meaning and purpose, and build a good support system.

Visit a local farm: This is a wonderful opportunity to learn and teach your kids about how food reaches the table. Right from farming practices to supply chain logistics, a visit to a local farm has the potential to transform the way you think about food.

Cook one dish a month from a traditional recipe bank: Whether it’s a cookbook or a neighbourhood cookery club, try to experiment with at least one new recipe that features on the local culinary scene, in your own kitchen. Instead of scurrying to a faraway hole-in-the-wall eatery or standing in long lines at the more popular hangouts in town, try to cook that star dish yourself. It will help build a stronger connection to the local culture, and also give you a boost of confidence in the kitchen.

(Ranjini is a communications professor, author, and podcaster, straddling many other worlds, in Bengaluru. She’s passionate about urban farming and sustainable living, and can mostly be found cooking and baking in her little kitchen, where, surrounded by heirloom coffee kettles and mismatched tea cups, she finds her chi.)