Meat Free Monday - One Day a week can make the world of difference...

ONE DAY A WEEK CAN MAKE A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE ..

Meat Free Monday is an International Campaign encouraging people to not eat meat on a Monday to improve both their health and that of the Planet.

It is by no means a new inititiative as in both World Wars the American Presidents called for every Tuesday to be meatless to help the war effort and avoid rationing. The idea was formally revived in 2003 as a public health campaign in the USA and known as “Meatless Monday”.

The main campaign in the UK was started by Paul McCartney and his family in 2009 and many other countries have followed suit. The idea has been endorsed by many celebrities including Joanna Lumley, Matt Lucas, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jamie Oliver and Emma Thompson. Sir Richard Branson is quoted as saying “ I love eating meat but I love our planet more so I will support the campaign and stop eating meat on at least one day each week .

According to the Food & Agriculture Organisation of the UN the livestock sector is one of the top two or three most significant contributors to the most serious environmental problems, at every scale from local to global. They estimate that livestock production is responsible for at least 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions and it is believed that we need to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere by 80% by 2050 top avoid catastrophic climate change.

Many of the world’s leading health organisations now encourage a reduction in the amount of meat people consume. It is becoming increasingly apparent that regular consumption of processed meats such as bacon and sausages have a direct link to increased cancer risk.

The cost of meat has risen 10% since 2007 and statistics show the average family spends £15.80 per week on meat and fish but less than £8 on fruit and vegetables. Most of the staples of a meat free diet are comparatively cheaper as plant protein such as dried beans or lentils typically cost substantially less than the equivalent in animal protein.

We would like to encourage all of you to support the Campaign and we hope that you will find many of your ingredients available on our site.  Experiment with flavours and textures and you will discover you can create exciting, colourful meals without always relying on meat. Spread the word that eating meat-free doesn’t have to be dull.