Sustainable Food

When it comes to food, we're all about quality. The way we see it? There's at least three opportunities every day to ensure what we eat is good for us, good for the planet, and tastes delicious, too.

Genuinely good food

An often-quoted stat is that the global food system - from farming to production, storage to packaging, and retailing to restaurants - is responsible for up to one-third of all human-caused greenhouse-gas emissions.

Undeniably, the food industry is having a huge impact on our planet.

But, it's not all bad. Amazingly, there are lots of farmers and food producers proving that the food industry can actually be part of the solution.

We all have different views on what constitutes 'good food'. And rightly, so. Whether you’re a meat-eater, flexitarian, vegetarian or vegan, that's completely your choice. We’re not here to judge.

What we are here to do is to demand honesty in the food industry, and present the true story of what’s going on from farm to plate, so you can make your choices with full information.

At Live Frankly, we help you find the best suppliers, and promote better food that is healthier for people, animals and the environment – whatever your diet.

Organic Food

Why is organic so good? Well, to put it simply, organically growing food is less harmful for our farmlands, our farm animals and for us...

The Cambridge Dictionary definition of organic is: "Not using artificial chemicals in the growing of plants and animals for food and other products."

It’s no secret that agriculture has been vilified as a primary cause of the climate crisis, with food and farming regularly linked to a third of climate emissions, 70% of water use and 60% loss of biodiversity.

But, organic farmers across the world are proving that farming doesn't have to be the problem, it can be part of the solution. Not only does an organic approach to farming prevent more harm being caused, but it actually helps to reverse this harm by restoring soil health, building back biodiversity and reducing emissions by storing carbon in the soil.

The UK's leading organic certifying body, The Soil Association, maintains if Europe’s farmland all followed organic principles, agricultural emissions could drop by 40-50% by 2050, with plenty to feed the growing population on healthy diets.

For a long time, organic has had a reputation of being a luxury product. Now, an increasing number of people in the UK are seeing organic for what it is intended to be: a way to produce the products we need, while respecting people, animals and the planet’s boundaries.

We've all heard that age-old saying, "we are what we eat". Well, when we eat 'conventional' non-organic food, we're ingesting all of the nasty chemicals that have been used in the production of our food. With certified organic food, we know what we're eating is produced in tune with nature. Plus, an increasing body of research is proving it's better for us, too.

Still wondering: ‘Is there really any difference with organic?’ and ‘Is it really worth the extra money?’ Read our articles above.

Regenerative Agriculture

Regenerative Agriculture is a method of farming that helps soil life (microbes, worms etc) to thrive, leading to healthy soil that is able to store carbon from the atmosphere.

This is good for the planet (less CO2 in the atmosphere means less climate crisis). Good for wildlife (nature, from plants to birds to bees, thrives). And good for us (the healthier the soil is, the more nutrient-rich our food is... You are what you eat, right? Well, you are what your carrots eat. Sit with that a second, it makes perfect sense when you think about it).

"Reg Ag" combines cutting-edge science to measure things like microbes and carbon in the soil with ancient farming techniques. It revolves around the symbiotic relationship between plant and animal farming.

It’s widely believed to be one of the best ways to fight climate change, sustainably provide food for the world’s increasing population, and keep the planet healthy.

Vegan and Vegetarian

One in three people in the UK are actively trying to cut their meat consumption. Around 1.2 million people in the UK are vegetarian and half of those are vegan. In fact, the number of UK vegans has quadrupled in recent years.

While we’re not a vegan site, we are aligned with the vegan ideals of protecting animals, eating healthier and being kind to the planet. We will continue to research, discuss, and remain a platform that is open to ideas that can help us move towards a more sustainable future for all.

What we eat makes a big difference to our environmental impact – a quarter of total consumer emissions come from our food. Eating less meat and dairy (and reducing food waste) undoubtedly helps to lower our emissions.

If you have already taken the plunge or are considering introducing more vegan meals, we've found out everything you need to know to enjoy a healthy and sustainable plant-based diet...

Sustainable Meat

We know that eating meat can be a highly contentious topic...

And this is not without good reason. The standards of animal welfare and the environmental impact of intensive animal farming and industrial livestock production are, frankly, devastating. In the UK we rear around 73% of animals in factory farms. This means animals are raised indoors often in overcrowded, unsanitary conditions.

We are a nation of animal-lovers, so what's gone wrong? More importantly, how do we fix it?

Well, we're huge advocates for eating less and better meat...

Livestock farming as a solution to the climate crisis?

We know there are amazing organic and regenerative farmers up and down the country who have animal welfare and the environment at the heart of their businesses.

What's more, these farmers argue that their livestock are not quite the culprits of the climate crisis they have been painted out to be. In fact, they say they are part of the solution because the way they farm helps to store carbon back into soil reducing emissions.

So, if you're a meat-lover looking for great-tasting, high-quality meat that is ethically and sustainably farmed in tune with nature, you've come to the right place.

Sustainable Seafood

Our growing demand for fish is putting immense pressure on our seas. Global human consumption of seafood has doubled since 1980 and it continues to rise.

The impact in numbers is shocking. Today, around 2.7 trillion fish are caught every year, up to five million killed every minute, by commercial fishing fleets. Close to 90% of fish is either overfished or fished to its maximum limit. The largest trawl nets are so large they could swallow whole cathedrals, devastating 3.9 billion acres of seafloor, annually.

And this is just the tip of the iceberg.

So, does genuinely sustainable seafood exist? Yes! There are small, sustainable fishing businesses who are working hard to prove fishing can be done better, every day.

We dive deep into the world of fishing to find out everything you need to know when shopping for truly sustainable seafood, including the most trustworthy seafood suppliers in the UK...

Food insiders

Who better to learn from about food than the founders, farmers and food producers of small, sustainable food brands?

They know better than anyone the issues at hand in their industry. They understand what it takes to produce great-tasting, high-quality and ethical food. Importantly, their work is pioneering the way towards a more sustainable future.

These are the people who are walking the walk, not just talking the talk...

Greenwashing in food

The Cambridge Dictionary definition of greenwashing is: “Behaviour or activities that make people believe that a company is doing more to protect the environment than it really is.”

With all the labels – 'natural', 'local', 'free range', 'barn reared', etc – that are used in the food industry, it can be difficult to know what exactly you're buying. Let alone how good it really is for you, for animals and for the planet.

We've done the hard research for you, so you can be sure of what to look out for and what to be wary of when you next go food shopping.

Staying in

Are you looking to enjoy the best of British produce from the comfort of your home?

Whether you’re looking to make hearty meals throughout the week, fresh fish for Friday dinner, meat for Sunday lunch, or simply to top up on your organic cupboard staples, we’ve got you covered.

From our favourite independent producers, we’re letting you in on our top tips, tricks and recommendations to enjoy delicious home-cooked food...

Eating out

If you’re looking for the best sustainable restaurants and bars in London then you’ve come to the right place.

We recommend our favourite tried and tested hotspots around London for brilliant food, good ethics and, of course, great vibes...

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