Enviro Page → Zero Waste Team → ZW Notebook → December EcoChallenge
It’s a beautiful idea to remind ourselves in December to feel gratitude for our food, and to be aware of food waste and the impact this has on our planet
Come join the Metro Vancouver Unitarian Food Ecochallenge in December by changing your habits and reducing food waste. Check-in to see how we’re lowering food waste during the challenge
*If you missed the start date, you can join any time. Just sign up below, or
eMail unitarianmary@gmail.com to connect with the Zero Waste Team
Food Waste in Canada
the facts
Sign up at → Drawdown Ecochallenge
Join anytime this December
The UCV Zero Waste team proposes December as a “love food / hate waste” month for Unitarians and friends, to set food-related goals and foster mutual support during a time of traditional feasting.
Our Zero Waste Team has for many years — indeed before “zero waste” was used as a term — coordinated an event to encourage people to resist the pull towards consumerism and waste during December.
We all need support when society pushes us towards purchases and activities that aren’t in alignment with our values.
Sunday, January 9, 2021, 1pm – Join Mary for the Ecochallenge Wrap‑Up on Zoom at ucv.im/coffee
Sunday, November 28, 2020, 1pm – Join Mary on Zoom at ucv.im/coffee to learn about setting goals related to food waste during December through the Drawdown Ecochallenge. The People’s Ecochallenge is a great platform to support us in setting goals and developing new habits.
Recommended links
Project Drawdown
Top 10 Vegan Holiday Recipes (Earthsave Canada)
Leftovers Recipes (National Zero Waste Council)
Youths Take Action Against Food Waste
Here are some of the food-related goals suggested in the Drawdown challenge
*The first three challenges are suggested for everyone who joins
| 1 | KEEP TRACK OF WASTED FOOD I will keep a daily log of food I throw away during Drawdown Ecochallenge because it went bad before I ate it, I put too much on my plate, or it was scraps from food prep |
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| 2 | REDUCE ANIMAL PRODUCTS I will enjoy _____ meatless or vegan meal(s) each day of the challenge |
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| 3 | LEARN THE TRUTH ABOUT EXPIRATION DATES I will spend at least _____ minutes learning how to differentiate between sell by, use by, and best by dates |
SMALLER PORTIONS
I will use smaller plates and/or serve smaller portions when dishing out food
SUPPORT LOCAL FOOD SYSTEMS
I will source _____ percent of my food from local producers each day. This could include signing up for a local CSA, buying from a farmers market, visiting a food co‑op, foraging with a local group, or growing my own ingredients
PRACTICE THE 5 Rs
I will practice the 5 Rs — Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose and Recycle — to reduce my waste more than I can with just recycling alone
SMART SEAFOOD CHOICES
I will visit seafoodwatch.org or download the app and commit to making better seafood choices for a healthier ocean
I will tend to a garden, or prepare for one, each day using sustainable gardening practices
EAT MINDFULLY
I will eat all of my meals without distractions, e.g., phone, computer, TV, or newspaper
MORE FRUITS AND VEGGIES
I will eat a heart healthy diet by adding _____ cups of fruits and vegetables each day to achieve at least 4 cups per day