Food

Catering: adopting the LOAF principles of Locally sourced, Organically grown, Animal friendly, Fairly traded food, not over-catering, avoiding disposable cups etc. (see Module 8 http://www.ecocongregation.org/englandwales)

• The Arthur Rank Centre (ARC). ARC is a collaborative unit supported by the national churches, the Royal Agricultural Society of England and the Rank Foundation and includes within its remit service to the rural community and its churches, and work on agricultural and environmental issues. As a part of its work ARC manages Eco-Congregation in England and Wales and the Living Churchyard Project. It supports farmers in their concern to see more locally sourced food - e.g. with the British Food Fortnight
• LOAF is a CEL initiative L=local, O=organic, A=animal-friendly, F=fairly-traded
• Local food:www.tastesofanglia.com  for a regional food and drink promoter;www.farma.org.uk  and www.bigbarn.co.uk promotes local food and farmers' markets. In addition to supporting local farmers, this also cuts down on food-miles.
• Associated with local food is the value of seasonal food. This cuts down on travel and emphasises the distinctiveness of the seasons of creation.
• Even better - try growing food yourselves!
• Organic food is fairly readily available now, but watch the distance it has had to travel. See the Soil Association and ‘Garden Organic’ (this was known as HDRA before) http://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/index.php
• Animal friendly (if you do not want to avoid meat altogether) is included in organic standards, but also see Freedom Foods on the RSPCA Website and Compassion in World Farming www.ciwf.co.uk .
• Fish pose a particular challenge ethically, look at www.fishonline.org by the Marine Conservation Society and the Marine Stewardship Council
• Churches have been at the forefront of fair trade for years and often this is good for the environment too
• Consider running a food supply stall. Many churches already run a fair-trade stall, add other ethical dimensions. Possible suppliers:
www.suma.co.uk ,  www.infinityfoods.co.uk
•  These can become effective money-raising programmes for church funds as well.

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