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Food production and consumption

Food production and consumption is a fundamental theme to discuss: the way we purchase and consume food as well as our dietary choices have a huge impact on the environment. Having a deeper knowledge of local sustainable options and of a few easy tricks could reduce food waste and have a positive influence on our own health and the environment. 

Our Tips

  • Reduce packaging: use tote bags, *buy bulk products, limit the use of single-serving.
  • Bulk buying: purchase grains, nuts, and other staples in bulk to reduce packaging waste and save money.
  • Prefer glass to aluminium
  • Check counters for short-dated food
  • Buy seasonal food: opt for fruits and vegetables that are in season in your region. They’re fresher, more nutritious, and requires less energy for transportation and storage.
  • Support local farmers: purchase from farmers’ markets or join a local CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) to reduce the carbon footprint associated with food transportation.
  • Opt for organic: choose organic foods, which are grown without synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, or GMOs, and typically have a lower environmental impact.
  • Sustainable seafood: look for seafood that is certified by organizations like the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) to ensure it’s sourced responsibly.
  • Look for fair trade: choose products like coffee, tea, chocolate, and bananas that are certified Fair Trade, ensuring that farmers and workers are paid fairly and work under safe conditions.
  • Support ethical brands, committed to ethical sourcing and sustainability.
  • Drink tap water
  • Consume seasonal fruits and vegetables
    https://www.stagioninelpiatto.com/frutta-verdura-pesce-di-stagione-calendari/ 
  • Start a garden: even if you have limited space, growing your own herbs, vegetables, or fruits can increase your awareness of the effort involved in food production and reduce your reliance on store-bought produce.
  • Self-produce: grow Your Own Food
  • Compost food scraps: composting helps reduce waste and creates nutrient-rich soil for your garden, closing the loop on food consumption.
  • Cook more at home, bring more food from home
  • Pay attention to food quantities (weigh it!)
  • Consider vegetarian and vegan options. Eat less meat: Reduce meat consumption, especially red meat, as its production is resource-intensive and has a high carbon footprint.
  • Plant-based alternatives: Incorporate more plant-based proteins like legumes, tofu, and quinoa into your diet.

 

Local Producers in Piacenza

Local Shops/Markets 

Stores selling bulk foods

Avoid food waste

  • Make shopping list, watch expiration dates and end perishable products)
  • Underline economic loss (economic awareness) to avoid food waste

Cook with a weekly perspective

  1. Create a weekly meal plan: consider what you already have in your pantry and fridge, and build your weekly plan around those ingredients.
  2. Group similar ingredients: plan recipes that use the same ingredients or allow you to reuse leftovers. (For example you can use roasted chicken for salads, sandwiches, or soup in the following days).
  3. Write shopping lists to avoid buying more than you need. 
  4. Take advantage from useful apps like:  Mealime: it helps you create personalized meal plans based on your dietary preferences and automatically generates a shopping list based on the recipes you choose.
    Yummly: it offers a wide range of recipes and it allows you to plan meals and automatically generates a shopping list. It also considers your dietary preferences and the ingredients you have available.
    Bring!: it creates and can share shopping lists. It also includes product suggestions and you can add notes to each item.
  1. Use food tracking tools such as
    KitchenPal Shared Grocery List: some main functions of this app are: shared grocery lists, pantry tracking, barcode scanning, meal planning and recipe ideas.
    Pantry inventory, track food: This app allows you to monitor the expiration dates of the food you have at home, sending you notifications when a product is about to expire.
  1. Organize your fridge: Place foods that expire sooner at the front of the fridge so you’re more likely to use them first.
  2. Use transparent containers: Storing food in transparent containers allows you to easily see what you have, reducing the likelihood of forgetting leftovers.
  3. Freeze leftovers: If you’ve cooked too much, consider freezing a portion to use later.
  4. Use food rescue apps such as Too Good To Go: it allows you to buy unsold food from restaurants and stores at discounted prices, reducing food waste.
  5. Reuse leftover food for new dishes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IdHDaBE6ElA&list=PLkMf14VQEvTaYmP-CaU_PdyhDY-uIXLXz https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sbp5Wi0rjY&list=PLkMf14VQEvTaYmP-CaU_PdyhDY-uIXLXz&index=3
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CE6wq6ygNXw&list=PLkMf14VQEvTaYmP-CaU_PdyhDY-uIXLXz&index=6

Some more opportunities

TooGoodToGo

if you download the app, it will connect you to restaurants, supermarkets, pastry shops and so many other local places where you’ll be able to buy unsold food surpluses at really affordable prices, thus avoiding that they are thrown away. The user just needs to log in the app, to be geolocated and from that moment on, he/she will be able to find all the local markets from where he/she will be able to pick up the surprise bag at the agreed time. https://www.toogoodtogo.com/it/surplus-food-marketplace/?utm_medium=search&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=it_b2b_paid_marketing_search_google_brand&utm_content=128258236983&utm_term=toogoodtogo&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw5Ky1BhAgEiwA5jGujt5-zrnlx_kYnFyJsahVEGniqK7JNZLmpx_RwNS6V62-8vS_LEavGBoCQXcQAvD_BwE 

Sustainable purchase groups

the goal is to purchase goods and services of common use according to the criteria of the solidarity economy. Respect for the environment, fair trade, natural products, the quality of the product and of the production process are only some of the values of this good opportunity. 

Contact the the headquarters in via X giugno 113- 05231903727

https://www.ilpiacenza.it/cronaca/gruppo-di-acquisto-solidale-citta-di-piacenza-e-provincia-massimo-granelli-1861364.html#:~:text=RIVOLGERSI%20presso%20la%20SEDE%20in,i%20criteri%20dell’economia%20solidale. 

Covered market Campagna Amica 

Str. Farnesiana, 17, 29122 Piacenza PC: it includes cooking classes, workshops, solidarity events and health conferences. 

https://mercatoviafarnesiana.it/ 

Mercato della Terra

Spazio 4 in via Manzoni, 21. h: 9:00-13:00 https://www.solosagre.it/mercati-gastronomici/emilia-romagna/pc/piacenza/mercato-della-terra-a-piacenza.html 

Eating Out

Informations, education and engagement 

  • Get curious about food origins: research where your food is grown or raised. Understanding the journey from farm to table can help you appreciate the effort behind each meal and make more informed choices.     
  • Understand labels: Familiarize yourself with food labels, including organic, non-GMO, fair trade, and sustainable certifications.       
  • Read and research: keep up with the latest research on nutrition, sustainability, and food systems. Books, documentaries, and reputable websites can provide valuable insights.   
  • Follow food advocates: engage with food advocates, environmental organizations, or chefs who promote sustainable eating practices. They often share tips and insights that can enhance your food awareness.
  • Participate in food events: attend local food festivals, workshops, or farm tours to learn more about food production and meet like-minded individuals.        
  • Volunteer: consider volunteering at a local food bank, community garden, or environmental organization to deepen your understanding of food systems and contribute to your community.
Food , Market , Piacenza , Restaurant
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