Welcome to the Food Zone!
Here we look at food from the standpoint of the encyclical Laudato Si’.
Food fascinates. Not only do we need it to live, it decorates our lives. Even when it is not the focus of our thoughts, it stays in the background like a soundtrack to our lives. It literally makes us who we are. It provides the building blocks for our bodies and lifts our moods. It can define our identity and that of our society or generation. Many of us find our work and lifestyles are inseparable from it. We connect through it. The meal is a welcoming act of generosity for strangers and travellers and has been so from the birth of humanity. We give thanks through food and celebrate with it. It is elevated to the pinnacle of Christianity with the Eucharist.
The way we interact with food is therefore important. Our plates tell a story of human endeavour, achievement and community. Often we can make a positive difference to that story through our choices. Are our choices helping to care for those farmers and workers who toil to get these wonderful foods produced and available for us? The work of human hands? Are our choices helping to care for the created? The fruit of the Earth? Not only the fruit we eat, but all the fruit: the planet and the rest of creation too?
The way we organize our modern society means that around a third of human-produced global warming gases are as a consequence of food production. So our relationship with our food and our food choices has even more importance today than ever before. And as with many choices, there is no one single answer. Like the diversity of the created world, there are a multitude of ethical choices. Here we look into these and other considerations.
Introducing LOAF
Why less meat is better
Agriculture and the environment
Globalisation of the food industry
Ethical purchasing
Welcome!
Living Laudato Si' 