Residents learn how to help the environment with food choices at ecoCaledon event

By Zachary Roman

Food plays a big part in the fight against climate change.

On May 6, ecoCaledon launched its Caledon Cares Enviro Challenge with an event all about food waste and plant-based eating.

Held at the Caledon Seniors Centre in the Bob Smith Room, the two-hour event showed residents how to reduce food waste, how to implement more plant-based food in their diet, and educated residents on just how important their food choices are in the fight against climate change.

The Enviro Challenge is a year-long challenge that encourages Caledon residents to take action to reduce their impact on the environment. Participants in the challenge will have a chance to earn prizes and recognition.

Vegan triathlete Jason Fonger was the guest speaker at the May 6 event. It was the second time he has collaborated with ecoCaledon.

Fonger switched to plant-based eating 13 years ago and said it's become much easier to find plant-based options over the years.

“Because I have experience as an athlete, I try to share the fact that I've actually improved (from) plant-based eating — which is the opposite of what people think,” said Folger. “People think that meat and animal protein is so important for athletes and building muscle, when in fact, it's not the case. We can get all of what we need from plants.”

Fonger said he's been able to win triathlon races on his plant-based diet and that even at the top level of competition in the whole world, there are athletes who are on a 100 per cent plant-based diet.

Changing the thinking around meat being a necessity can help open people's minds to including more plant-based food in their diet. He said in order to address the climate emergency, the world's meat consumption cannot keep going up indefinitely. For example, according to a handout prepared by ecoCaledon, producing one beef burger takes 2,500 litres of water and creates 20 per cent more greenhouse gas than a plant-based burger.

Eating more plant-based food is not about “defeating” animal-based food industries like the beef or dairy industry, said Fonger. He said decades ago research showed that we needed animal protein, but as our understanding of nutrition evolves, that's no longer the case.

Plant-based eating might be seen as a threat to the status quo, said Fonger, but he added there's no reason companies can't diversify to produce more plant-based options.

According to ecoCaledon, even participating in “meatless Mondays” or becoming a weekend vegetarian can have a huge impact on someone's carbon footprint. At their event, ecoCaledon also promoted ideas like meal planning, dedicating a night for leftovers, and trying a plant-based version of a favourite meat recipe.

“It's often painted like it's vegans versus farmers, and I really try to avoid that narrative,” said Fonger. “It's more about how do we move forward in a way that makes sense?”

Fonger said while it's easy to feel pessimistic about the state of the world, it's encouraging to speak at events like the one ecoCaledon held, and see people showing up to learn about how they can make a positive change.

“Food is a secret weapon that we have for the climate crisis,” said Fonger. “It's very possible to save money while eating a diet that's healthier for the planet.”

For more information on plant-based eating or to sign up for the Caledon Cares Enviro Challenge, those interested can visit ecocaledon.org.