TOO few churches are addressing ethical concerns about the food system, says a survey from Green Christian, which urges every church to develop an ethical food policy.
Green Christian’s survey of more than 600 regular churchgoers in the UK highlighted “a missed opportunity for demonstrating ethical practices that would protect the environment and help the poor”, the organisation says.
Asked whether their church took ethical issues into account when food or drink was served at events, only 12 per cent indicated that it did so “always” and just over one third (35 per cent) “sometimes”. More than half replied “no” (22 per cent) or “don’t know” (31 per cent), “suggesting a lack of ethical commitment, knowledge or both”. Asked whether their church served refreshments after its main Sunday service, 93 per cent indicated that it did — 39 per cent “always” and 28 per cent “often”.
Food was served at church events of all kinds, from baptisms to harvest suppers, and integrated into church life through events such as bring-and-share lunches and meals for the elderly. The survey found that 67 per cent were involved in community projects such as foodbanks and soup kitchens.
Tim Cooper, emeritus professor of sustainable design and consumption at Nottingham Trent University, and a trustee of Green Christian, who led the research, said: “There may be different outcomes when churches and churchgoers discuss food. Some will favour plant-based diets to address climate change, while others may prefer to focus on organic produce or animal welfare. This complexity does not justify disregarding these important concerns. Nor does cost. Although we recognise genuine economic constraints, too often cost is used as an excuse not to make more ethical purchases.”
He continued: “Despite the lack of engagement from many churches, there are signs of hope. Thousands of local churches are registered with the Eco Church initiative which encourages them to apply the ‘LOAF’ principles promoted by Green Christian: food which is locally produced, organically grown, animal-friendly, and fairly traded.”