The importance of Food Diversity

Originating in 2023, Food Diversity Day (13 January) aims to celebrate Britain’s most endangered foods and encourages everyone to use a more diverse mix of ingredients in the kitchen.?

Food Diversity Day is the creation of Dan Saladino, author of ‘Eating to Extinction: The World’s Rarest Foods and Why We Need to Save Them’. The importance of food diversity became clear to Dan when writing his book, both for the health of individuals, but also for the sustainable and long-term future of our food production network.?

Some of the stats around our global eating practices are shocking. According to Saladino, the world now mostly eats just nine species of plants, of which just three – rice, wheat and maize – provide 50% of all calories consumed. He claims that the individual human diet even a few thousand years ago was far richer in diversity than the one most of us eat today.

Greater diversity in our diets helps to create a more resilient food system that is better protected against climate change, helps protect cultural traditions, practices and flavour, and increases soil and ecosystem health.

Let’s look a deeper dive into some of the key reasons food diversity is considered crucial to the health of our food systems:?

Nutrient Intake: It won’t be a surprise that consuming a diverse range of foods will help people receive a broader spectrum of essential nutrients – with a varied diet more likely to provide the nutrients your body needs for optimal functioning and overall health.

Biodiversity: Large areas of land planted with just a single crop can lead to environmental issues, prominently soil degradation and increased susceptibility to pests and diseases. Growing a variety of different crops is therefore beneficial to maintaining a healthy ecosystem and preserving genetic diversity.??

Fighting the climate crisis: Building on the above, with farmers facing more challenges than ever due to changing weather conditions, ensuring that land is covered in diverse crops with varying tolerances and adaptability can enhance resilience in the face of these climate-related challenges.

Food security: Relying on a smaller portfolio of crops can enhance the vulnerability of our food supply in the case of crop failures. As well as the impacts on our diets, crop failures can also cause sizable economic instability. So, growing a range of crops and encouraging diverse diets can contribute to the world’s overall food security.?

Culinary Enjoyment: Food is a key part of cultural identities across the world and whilst the narrowing of cuisines is expected as a result of globalisation, it would be a shame for our global food culture to become fully homogeneous.?

So, for hospitality and foodservice providers, here’s a few things to consider when building your menu:?

Diverse menus: Of course, the biggest thing chefs and operators can do to encourage food diversity is by using a wide range of ingredients, as well as making the most of local, seasonal produce where possible. Rotating the menu throughout the year and getting creatives with some underused produce can help to put different dishes and flavours on the map.?

Work with local producers: Collaborating with local farmers can be a great way to find out about other ingredients they grow, as well as shining a light on regional specialities. There is a growing demand from customers for local cuisines when eating out, so this can also give pubs and restaurants a point of difference when it comes to their menu.?

Education: We’re creatures of habits and we’re used to seeing common ingredients on menus across the world. When introducing new ingredients to dishes, Operators should take customers on the journey with helpful advice from waiting staff or ingredient education on menus. Chefs could also introduce more unusual ingredients via tasting menus, food and wine pairings or smaller portions. It’s important to create a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere that encourages guests to feel comfortable when exploring new and unfamiliar dishes.

If you’re looking for advice on any aspect of sustainability in your business, get in touch with the Knowledge Labs team today - https://www.nutritics.com/en/services/knowledge-labs.?

Knowledge Labs provides Hospitality and Food Service (HaFS) operators with expert advice and support across a range of topics central to their ESG strategy, including food related sustainability, nutrition, employee wellbeing, and compliance.?