Food
Food for Thought
Food is a big subject. We think about it a lot; it takes up a lot of time and energy. The production and consumption of it affects many other aspects of our lives, the lives of other people, every creature and ultimately the Planet as a whole. Food is social, political, crucial
But do we really think about it? Life gets in the way; time slips away; money runs out. So here is some information that may help you save time, save money and help the Planet
Grow your own if you have a garden, no matter how small (tubs and planters don't take up much space and can be used to grow anything from potatoes to herbs). If you're new at growing food, start simple. Ask advice from an experienced gardener or why not join the Perthshire Organic Gardeners. They meet monthly to visit gardens and garden enterprises in the summer and in winter hold interesting talks. They are also a very friendly, informed bunch: at each meeting members can bring along surplus produce and plants to swap, and a shared supper is also an important social aspect. Other benefits include a discounted price on such items as peat free compost and they're getting actively involved in various climate projects. Non members can join in for a small additional fee. Interested in coming along? Phone Karen or Sandy (07871 958492/ 07450 245 685 / 01796 474398) who attend regularly and could lift share. As it is a Perth based group, meetings tend to gravitate in that direction
Food is a big subject. We think about it a lot; it takes up a lot of time and energy. The production and consumption of it affects many other aspects of our lives, the lives of other people, every creature and ultimately the Planet as a whole. Food is social, political, crucial
But do we really think about it? Life gets in the way; time slips away; money runs out. So here is some information that may help you save time, save money and help the Planet
Grow your own if you have a garden, no matter how small (tubs and planters don't take up much space and can be used to grow anything from potatoes to herbs). If you're new at growing food, start simple. Ask advice from an experienced gardener or why not join the Perthshire Organic Gardeners. They meet monthly to visit gardens and garden enterprises in the summer and in winter hold interesting talks. They are also a very friendly, informed bunch: at each meeting members can bring along surplus produce and plants to swap, and a shared supper is also an important social aspect. Other benefits include a discounted price on such items as peat free compost and they're getting actively involved in various climate projects. Non members can join in for a small additional fee. Interested in coming along? Phone Karen or Sandy (07871 958492/ 07450 245 685 / 01796 474398) who attend regularly and could lift share. As it is a Perth based group, meetings tend to gravitate in that direction
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Allotments. There are currently none available in Pitlochry but there are areas of unused land that could potentially be utilised by interested parties (local councillors are a good source of information and support)
Ask for a patch from someone you know who can't manage their garden and in return they get a tidy garden and some free produce |
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Make your own. It's much cheaper, has a lower carbon footprint, is more nutritious and need not take hours to prepare. Here's a simple example. Houmus - you need a food processor, hand held masher, blender or pestle and mortar to blend the ingredients, depending what texture you prefer. Dry ingredients can be sourced from Handam or Corbenic shops. Dried equivalent of one tin of chick peas, juice of half a lemon, 2 cloves garlic, dessert spoon sesame seeds and enough liquid from oil, juice and water to allow mixing
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Soak dried chick peas overnight, rinse, cover with fresh water, bring to the boil, cook till tender, about 40 minutes. Toast sesame seeds lightly. Assemble and blend ingredients. If you want a lower calorie dip, use some cooking water as well as olive oil. If you love garlic, put in more. Like the nutty flavour of sesame - add more. Drizzle with more oil, scatter toasted cumin seeds or more sesame seeds, olives, paprika or whatever you fancy
This will keep refrigerated for several days and will freeze fairly successfully
Batch cooking the chick peas and freezing in portions cuts down on work and saves energy, as well as having a ready supply of this versatile pulse for a variety of future meals. This recipe works, to varying degrees, with any pulse to produce a bean pate, but chick peas are authentic and superior for this Middle Eastern dip
This will keep refrigerated for several days and will freeze fairly successfully
Batch cooking the chick peas and freezing in portions cuts down on work and saves energy, as well as having a ready supply of this versatile pulse for a variety of future meals. This recipe works, to varying degrees, with any pulse to produce a bean pate, but chick peas are authentic and superior for this Middle Eastern dip
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Gather your own. Foraging is not only free, fun for all the family, but if done in a sustainable manner, can cut down on over consumption
Did you know ground elder (bishop weed) for example is edible? There are various fungi foraging events locally The library and John Muir Trust have reference books on the subject of food for free |
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What to buy: Try cutting down on meat, dairy, fish and heavily processed products. Buy local, seasonal and sustainable. Why? Animal welfare, methane gas, carbon footprint, pollution, exploitation of workers, destruction of habitats, human health cost. Look at labels, ask questions about provenance and packaging, take your own containers. Commercial fishing is responsible for a huge amount of sea plastic in the form of nylon net etc. Fish farming is bad for the farmed fish, the wild stocks, through disease and bait, and again plastic waste
Grouse moors are not generally a positive aspect of the environment as they involve burning and draining of land which degrades the carbon rich peatland, thus releasing CO2. There are many other negative aspects such as destroying delicate ecosystems and the persecution of creatures such as mountain hares and hen harriers
Where to buy: Local, especially independent shops, markets (Logierait, Aberfedly , Pitlochry, Perth), use the various fishmonger vans that visit weekly, look out for honesty boxes and farm shop signs if you're out and about. All those options have the added advantage of being a more social way of shopping
Grouse moors are not generally a positive aspect of the environment as they involve burning and draining of land which degrades the carbon rich peatland, thus releasing CO2. There are many other negative aspects such as destroying delicate ecosystems and the persecution of creatures such as mountain hares and hen harriers
Where to buy: Local, especially independent shops, markets (Logierait, Aberfedly , Pitlochry, Perth), use the various fishmonger vans that visit weekly, look out for honesty boxes and farm shop signs if you're out and about. All those options have the added advantage of being a more social way of shopping
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HANDAM - plastic free pop-up shop and online delivery service
Aberfeldy shop in the square Mon 10.30-3.00, Tues 9.30-3.00, Weds 3.30-3, 4-6, Thurs 1-5 Pitlochry shop - 2 Burnside Road. (Just behind Coffee Break). Opening hours: Mon - Fri 10 - 5pm, Mon - Sat 10-4 Bring your own containers but paper bags available |
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HETTIES TEAROOM, Atholl Road, Pitlochry - loose tea. Take a container
CORBENIC CAMPHILL COMMUNITY SHOP, Atholl Rd. Dunkeld - sells bread and plastic free dry items as well as a variety of other edible goods
CORBENIC CAMPHILL COMMUNITY SHOP, Atholl Rd. Dunkeld - sells bread and plastic free dry items as well as a variety of other edible goods
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SOSA - organic fruit and veg box scheme
Non profit making and plastic free. Weekly collections from Aberfeldy and Pitlochry |
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MCLEODS - organic fruit and veg box delivery. Not so local as based in Inverness and Edinburgh but mostly plastic free and no plastic can be requested. Delivers to your door cutting down on your supermarket trips
MCDONALDS, Bonnethill Road, Pitlochry- butcher. Delivers in electric vehicles. Take your own container. Paper sacks of potatoes
MCDONALDS, Bonnethill Road, Pitlochry- butcher. Delivers in electric vehicles. Take your own container. Paper sacks of potatoes
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HUBERTUS GAME, Ferry Rd. Pitlochry - locally source venison and wild game
BLAIR ATHOLL WATERMILL, Ford Rd, Blair Atholl - flour mill and bakery. Paper bags ARRAN BAKERY, Atholl Rd, Dunkeld. Paper bags D & D DARIES deliver milk to households in Pitlochry and surrounding area |
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Have you heard about the NEIGHBOURFOOD network? It is a growing network of online markets that are providing a new and more sustainable way to shop and eat well while supporting local farmers and artisan producers. We now have over 25 producers who supply fruit and veg, bread, pies and pastries, cheese, meat, fish, eggs, preserves and jams, beer and wine and much more
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Karen Lean
- Check where your food comes from - buy locally grown food that is in season to avoid air miles
- Buy food in bulk to avoid unnecessary plastic
- Plan your meals ahead to cut down on waste
- Compost your food waste
