Choosing to put organic and sustainable food on our plates and organically produced presents in our stockings this Christmas is a simple form of direct action! Christmas 2019 falls at the end of a year of global protest and activism. At a time of year where consumerism is rampant and with calls to use and consume less there has never been a better time to choose products that have been produced in a way that’s sensitive to the planet.

Organic means working with nature. It means lower levels of pesticides, no manufactured herbicides or artificial fertilisers and more environmentally sustainable management of the land and natural environment, which means more wildlife.

Whatever you’re buying – from cotton buds to carrots – when you choose organic food, drink or beauty and textiles, you choose products that promote a better world.

Fou Furnishing - Organic Cotton Napkins

https://foufurnishings.com/dining-room/table-linen/100-organic-cotton-hotel-collection-napkins

The organic cotton in Fou Furnishing’s napkins is sourced from the Chetna Organic & Fairtrade Cotton Intervention Program in India, which was launched in 2004. The intention and mission of this organic project is to safeguard the livelihoods of small and micro farmers by enabling them to manage their soils sustainably and profitably. The project has brought environmental, economic and social improvements to 70 surrounding villages, 1165 organic Fairtrade cotton farmers, harvested 627 tonnes of cotton on around 317 hectares of farmland and supported a total of 5242 men, women and children. Real, sustainable impact.

Ethical Dairy - ethical cheese board

The Ethical Dairy traditional cheeses are made with organic milk from their dairy herd in Galloway, where calves are kept with their mothers to suckle. They are the first commercial dairy in the UK to be following the cow with calf method, demonstrating that cow with calf dairy farming is viable and sustainable at scale. Their ethical dairy model is based around treating the animals, the land, the environment and the people who work at the farm with respect and kindness. They are passionate about demonstrating that regenerative livestock farming can make a positive contribution to the challenges of climate change, biodiversity, resource depletion, animal welfare, social health & welfare, food security and Scotland’s economy.

http://www.theethicaldairy.co.uk/product/52

Mackie’s Organic Ice cream

Mackie’s of Scotland’s Organic Real Dairy Ice Cream is a must-have ingredient for the ultimate Christmas dinner.

The perfect accompaniment to mince pies, Christmas pudding, chocolate favourites – or even a cocktail or two – you’ll struggle to find a more ethical dessert.

Mackie’s ‘Sky to Scoop’ ethos sees its ice cream made on its family farm in Aberdeenshire which is 80% self-sufficient on renewable energy produced by its wind turbines and solar panels – and the surplus is sold back to the grid.

Its Organic ice cream is made using organic milk sourced from neighbouring farms, and some say the Organic tubs have a slight caramel flavour. This comes partly from the organic sugar as well as a slight elevation of the pasteurising temperature.

Mackie’s makes all of its packaging on the farm to keep food miles to a minimum. Its tubs are widely collected for recycling and have great storage and upcycling possibilities.

And in a move to further reduce its carbon footprint, Mackie’s are investing in a new refrigeration system with efficient units run on ammonia - a natural refrigerant gas that poses no threat to the environment. It is set to be one of the most sophisticated and environmentally-friendly systems in Europe and will see Mackie’s reduce its CO2 emissions by 80%.

Christmas Tipple - Benromach Organic Whisky

Benromach Organic was a world first when it launched in 2006 and is still very rare today. This whisky is certified Organic from start to finish, meeting rigorous UK Soil Association standards for growing the ingredients, distillation, maturation and bottling.

https://www.benromach.com/whiskies/benromach-contrasts/organic