Thursday 1st May sees the start of Meat Free May which challenges the public to give up meat and fish for one month, while raising vital funds for Friends of the Earth. [1] With increasing awareness that we need to change our dietary habits for our health and our planet, Meat Free May is a motivating challenge that will help participants to experience how easy it can be to eat less and better meat and fish and that there are great nutritious alternatives available. [2]
Anyone over the age of 18 can sign up to Meat Free May. Once signed up, participants receive two helpful support packs with information on meal planning, nutrition, and delicious recipes; as well as background information on the environmental impacts of livestock production and overfishing. The second pack has helpful tips on how to raise sponsorship money. [3]
Friends of the Earth Executive Director Andy Atkins challenged himself to a meat-free January earlier this year, he said:
“We want people to give up meat and fish for the month of May, and at the same time to raise money through sponsorship for our valuable campaigning work.
“I hope that once people sign up and experience how easy it is to change their diets, and the many benefits, they’ll eat less meat and fish after the challenge comes to an end.
“The long-term solution is for us all to choose to eat less, but better quality, meat, and fish from sustainable stocks – what better way to try out new recipes than through a fun challenge.” [4]
Safia, from Young Friends of the Earth Europe said:
“Meat Free May is a campaign that challenges you to GIVE UP MEAT AND FISH for all of May whilst raising money for Friends of the Earth. Eating less meat and fish not only brings many BENEFITS to you but also benefits our PLANET. If you’re a little low on inspiration SEARCH the web for recipes that add a little FUN and FLAVOUR to your challenge. Bon Appetit!”
Friends of the Earth is supporting this event as almost 15 percent of all greenhouse gases emitted every year come from meat production, and overfishing is a major concern for the health of our oceans and marine
ecosystems.
ENDS
Contact for comments: Pete Abel, Manchester Friends of the Earth co-ordinator. Mobile: 07951 642858
Notes to Editors
[1] Meat Free May was the winning idea of student Jannat Hossain for a competition tha Friends of the Earth first ran in 2013 and is being co-ordinated by Young FoE. Details of the Get Gobby campaign.
Young Friends of the Earth is environment charity Friends of the Earth’s network for young supporters.
[2] You can learn more about the environment impacts of livestock production and overfishing.
[3] People can sign up to Meat Free May to receive fundraising support packs to help them plan meals and raise sponsorship money.
[4] Friends of the Earth Executive Director Andy Atkins blogged about his experience of a meat free month and here.
[5] @MeatFreeMay will be tweeting meat-free recipes and other tips throughout May.
[6] The Meat Free May logo.
[7] Manchester Friends of the Earth is an award-winning environmental campaign group, raising awareness and lobbying for policy changes at a local, regional, national and international level. The group consists entirely of volunteers, and its campaigns are funded by membership fees and individual donations. Up-to-date information is available on the group’s website: www.manchesterfoe.org.uk. Manchester Friends of the Earth is a Licensed Local Group of Friends of the Earth, England, Wales and Northern Ireland. www.foe.co.uk
[8] Manchester Friends of the Earth has endorsed Manchester: A Certain Future, an action plan for the city of Manchester to cut its carbon emissions by at least 41% by 2020. For more information, visit www.manchesterclimate.com
