Food & Drink

Palm oil may well be one of the most controversial ingredients in the products we buy. Campaigns from environmental groups, consumer petitions and a growing media spotlight all point to it being a bad thing, but why?

Find out what a sustainable tea brand looks like, and the importance of one.

How your food is grown can have a significant impact on your health as well as the environment. Organic farming is widely recognised as a better agricultural method for both your own health and the planet. Here's why: 🐛 It involves fewer pesticides, which can be bad for our own health and toxic for a host of other organisms. 🌎 Organic farming is better for the environment. It conserves water, reduces soil erosion, increases soil fertility, and uses less energy. 🦠 Organic food is free from Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). 🍆 Organic food is fresher because it doesn't contain preservatives. 🐷 Organically raised animals are not given antibiotics, growth hormones, or fed animal byproducts. Now that you're aware of the many benefits of organic food, here's some fantastic organic food services that deliver direct to your door.

Barbecues are a major feature of garden socialising in the UK – more so in recent times because of lockdown restrictions. There’s a lot to love about them – who isn’t up for a beer and a burger (ideally plant-based!) in the sun with their favourite people? But there’s no getting around it, they’re not great for the environment. From the pollution they create to the waste they produce, our favourite summer pastime comes with some red flags for the environmentally-savvy. However, that doesn’t mean they’re off the agenda completely. Making some easy tweaks and changes to your summer sizzler can significantly reduce its impact. Here’s how to cook up a storm while staying climate conscious.

By now, the benefits of organic produce are pretty well-documented. Organic food is better for the planet since it requires no artificial fertilisers and promotes healthier soils that can store more carbon. It’s better for animal welfare, as organic standards ensure that all animals reared for meat and animal products have a better quality of life. It’s better for wildlife, as organic farming supports cleaner water and richer biodiversity. And of course, it’s good for people, too – organic produce has lower concentrations of pesticides and heavy metals, and higher levels of antioxidants and beneficial omega-3 fatty acids. So to celebrate Organic September – the Soil Association’s month-long campaign to celebrate all things organic – let’s take a look at some of the things you might not know about organics.

Featuring ethy verified brand Montanya Rum.

January is certainly not the most joyful month of the year. It’s grey and drizzly, Christmas is but a distant memory and it feels like it’ll be ages before anything exciting happens again. So it’s no surprise most of us just want to stagnate on the sofa with the leftover festive chocolate. But this year, why not try something different? Veganuary is an annual challenge that encourages people to go vegan for the month of January. It began in 2014 and has been slowly increasing in popularity since – in 2021, more than half a million people took part! The rules are simple: no animal-based products for 31 days. How strictly you decide to follow that is up to you – some people might give up leather products in addition to making changes to their diet, for example, while others might just focus on eliminating meat and dairy. You don’t need to do it perfectly, either. Veganuary is all about increasing awareness of veganism and encouraging people to try something new, rather than completely overhauling your lifestyle overnight. And even if you don’t keep it up after the month is out, you’ll have picked up some great meal ideas that will help lessen your dietary impact into the future. Not sure if it’s for you? Here’s five reasons you should consider giving it a try.