Food production and distribution is one of the most significant source of greenhouse gases in the UK. We all need to eat to surive and, with a growing population, this requirement for food is forcing the world to cut down forests, to degrade the world's productive farmlands and to factory-farm livestock. According to Chris Goodall in his excellent book: 'How to Live a low Carbon Life', by changing eating habits, an individual could - at least in theory - reduce green house emissions resulting from food consumption by 85%! If you're keen to reduce the emissions from the food you eat, there are five rules you can follow:

1. Buy local food. Local produced foods and drinks bought directly from the producer or via a local shop, saves transport
2. Eat less meat and dairy. Farm animals, particularly dairy cows, produce methane. Eating a vegan diet is a reliable way of reducing carbon, supplemented perhaps by local eggs and honey
3. Buying minimal packaged foods will make a difference to the amount of energy used in the packaging and in the methane resulting from packaging materials sent to landfill
4. Avoid processed food and cook the raw ingredients at home. The gas used per person for cooking in the UK homes generates one-third of the amount of carbon dioxide used in food manufacting
5. Compost all organic materials, including food packaging

The most important rules, according to Chris Goodal, are: buy organic where possible, local when  available, keep away from processed and packaged food and, most important of all, buy less meat and fewer dairy products.

I thought you might also be interested in this video  it's aimed at people who own a restaurant, but equally applicable to you and I.

http://www.creativesql.co.uk/FlashMPU/CG/WRD/CG_video.html;

Further information

Find a farmers' market near you: http://www.farmersmarkets.net/

Source organic food and drink: http://www.greenrewards.co.uk/products/Food+%26+Drink

Learn more about food production: http://www.greenrewards.co.uk/products/Books+%26+DVDs/Eco+Books

Learn more about food production: http://www.lowcarbonlife.net/default.asp?page=40