Home Economics - Food Sustainability

This means choosing and using food that is healthy for consumers and that does not harm the environment, animals or workers involved in producing the food

Choose foods produced locally

Buy organic and free-range foods

It reduces the impact on the environment

The food is fresher, tastes better and is more nutritious

It supports Irish farmers and communities

It reduces spoilage and waste as the food does not spend long time in transit

Plan meals carefully and follow a shopping list

Serve correct portion sizes

Store leftovers safely and use up quickly

This works by removing one or more conditions so that micro-organisms cannot grow and enzymes are inactivated

It prevents food from going bad

• Removing warmth
• Removing moisture
• Removing oxygen
• Changing the pH

Refrigeration

Freezing

Drying (dehydration)

Canning

Bottling

Using vinegar as a preservative

Prevents waste so it saves money

Seasonal foods are available out of season

Adds variety to the diet

Saves time and energy as require little preparation

• Freezing
• Canning
• Drying
• Freeze-drying
• Jam Making
• Pasteurisation
• Using Preservatives
• Irradiation

This is placing prepared vegetables into boiling water for 1-4 minutes to inactivate enzymes and then plunge into cold water to stop them cooking