Eat local and in-season. North Yorkshire is famed for its farm produce – from Swaledale lamb to Vale of Pickering vegetables. By buying locally (at farmers’ markets, farm shops, or veg box schemes), you support local farmers and reduce emissions from long transport. Many market towns host regular farmers’ markets — Malton, “Yorkshire’s food capital,” has a popular one. Even local shops may stock eggs, honey, or cheese from nearby farms. Local food is fresher, supports the rural economy, and cuts down on food miles.

Grow your own or join community gardens. Whether it’s a windowsill herb garden or an allotment plot, growing food is rewarding. Many villages have allotments — check with your parish or town council for availability. There are also Incredible Edible projects in North Yorkshire — for example, volunteers in Knaresborough have created raised beds for community use. These edible gardens bring neighbours together while providing free produce.

Reduce food waste at home. In rural areas, wasting food is like wasting money. Plan meals and get creative with leftovers — a Yorkshire stew, perhaps! If you have extras, consider sharing with neighbours or using Community Fridges. Selby’s Community Fridge helps redistribute surplus food from residents and businesses to ensure it feeds people, not bins.

Home compost or feed the chooks. Instead of binning kitchen scraps, compost them for your garden — or offer them to someone who keeps chickens! The North Yorkshire Rotters are volunteer composting champions offering advice and demos on home composting, wormeries, and food waste reduction. Turning peelings into compost keeps nutrients in the soil and reduces waste.

Choose sustainable Yorkshire produce. Look out for meat and dairy from farms with strong environmental standards — many in North Yorkshire are adopting regenerative practices. Projects in the Yorkshire Dales support farmers restoring hay meadows and enhancing soil health. Your choices at the till help shape a greener food system.