During the year of 2014 , Agriculture and Food Research, MTT implemented Climate Lunch project in co-operation with lunch restaurants. It was funded by the Ministry of the Environment for Sustainable Consumption and Production ( KULTU ) program ” less wisely ‘ and the following restaurant: Fazer Food Services , Restaurant Perho and the Student Union Dining (HYY Restaurants). ” The main goal was to get a working concept by the end of 2014; a concept that can be taken into use in all types of lunch restaurants.
The logo of the Climate Lunch program is the Climate Choice Fork (Ilmastovalintahaarukka). A fork with one leaf symbolizes meals with 15 % less than the average effect on the climate. A fork with three leaves symbolizes 30 % less than the average effect on the climate.
” The project aims to provide consumers with an easy way to do climate and nutritional food choices . The long-term goal is to reduce significantly the effects of food for climate change or carbon footprint by offering to existing restaurants a suitable environmentally friendly lunch program as an another alternative choice for lunch meals. ”
(www.mtt.fi)
What is environmentally friendly food?
A significant proportion of our carbon dioxide emissions are associated with everyday food. Food climatic effects are largely already in the production of food, but each of us has the opportunity to influence the carbon footprint through personal consumption choices and other everyday practices. The main food carbon dioxide emissions are caused by the production of food in addition to transportation and food waste.
Climate effects caused by the food can be lightened, for example, by reducing the consumption of products of animal origin, emphasizing the role of vegetables in the diet, avoiding food waste generation, sorting organic waste properly and by adoption of locally grown and seasonal food. Other important issues should be also considered, such as: food production, preparation and preservation systems, and energy efficiency.
Climate guide: https://ilmasto-opas.fi/en/ilmastonmuutos/hillinta > Reducing emissions in Finland > Climate-friendly food
Short video (in Finnish) about Climate Choice Lunch project: http://www.hs.fi/kotimaa/a1411576654080
Sustainable Development Guide 2019 - 2020Perho Culinary, Tourism & Business College1.8.2019