What do we mean by sustainable?

​Sustainability means meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. It’s about creating a balanced and harmonious relationship with the planet, our resources, and the people we share it with. When it comes to food, sustainability includes considering how our food is grown, how it is transported, how we consume it, and how we minimize waste. It's all about making choices that help protect our environment, support local economies, and promote fairness in food systems.

The recipes that we have provided on this website directly align with our views regarding sustainability in food consumption. Eating sustainably doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are some simple tips to incorporate into your daily meals:

• Choose plant-based foods: The production of plant-based foods generally has a lower environmental impact compared to animal-based foods.

• Buy locally: Supporting local farmers helps reduce carbon emissions associated with long-distance food transportation.

• Reduce food waste: Plan meals carefully, store food properly, and use leftovers creatively.

• Eat seasonally: Foods grown in season use fewer resources and are often more nutritious.

• Opt for organic: Organic farming tends to use fewer pesticides and promotes healthier soils.

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Food as politics- social sustainability

Food isn’t just about what’s on our plates—it’s also about how food systems are shaped by politics. Social sustainability in food means ensuring that everyone has access to healthy, affordable food while supporting fair labor practices, reducing inequality, and promoting food sovereignty. When we choose where to buy our food or what kinds of products we support, we’re also making a political statement about the kind of world we want to live in.

Supporting local farmers, ethical food companies, and fair trade practices helps create a more just and sustainable food system for all.

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Sustainable fun facts 

• Did you know? Producing a kilogram of beef requires over 15,000 liters of water, while a kilogram of vegetables requires only about 300 liters!

• Fun fact: The average person wastes around 150,000 calories per year—that’s the equivalent of 400 slices of pizza!

• Did you know? You can reduce your carbon footprint by up to 30% just by eating a plant-based meal once a week!

• Fun fact: A single tree can absorb up to 48 pounds of carbon dioxide every year, helping to offset emissions from food production.

• Did you know? The energy used to make a disposable plastic fork could power a laptop for 25 minutes.

• Fun fact: If you switch from bottled water to tap water, you can save more than $1,000 a year!

• Did you know? Composting food scraps reduces methane emissions from landfills and creates nutrient-rich soil that can help grow more sustainable food.

• Fun fact: In the U.S., nearly 20 billion pounds of edible produce is wasted every year just because it’s considered "ugly" or imperfect!

• Did you know? The global food system accounts for 25-30% of global greenhouse gas emissions, with agriculture being the biggest contributor.

• Fun fact: The most water-efficient food is rice grown in flooded fields, which acts like a carbon sink, reducing emissions during its cultivation.

• Did you know? Organic farming can use up to 50% less energy than conventional farming methods!

• Fun fact: Eating one seasonal fruit or vegetable can reduce your carbon footprint by up to 50% compared to eating non-seasonal varieties.

• Did you know? You can make your kitchen more sustainable by switching to bamboo utensils, which are biodegradable and grow faster than trees!

• Fun fact: Planting a garden with herbs and vegetables can help offset the carbon footprint of your food and even improve your mental health.

• Did you know? Seaweed is a highly sustainable food source—growing it requires no land, fresh water, or fertilizers, and it absorbs carbon dioxide as it grows!

• Did you know? It takes over 2,400 liters of water to produce just one hamburger!

• Fun fact: If every American skipped one meal of chicken per week and ate plant-based foods instead, it would be like taking 7.6 million cars off the road!

• Did you know? Over 1/3 of all food produced globally is wasted—enough to feed every hungry person on the planet twice over!

• Fun fact: Insects are a sustainable protein source and are eaten by over 2 billion people worldwide!

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Below you can also access information on how Concordia stays sustainable under the 'Office of Sustainability'