The Staff Café or kitchen is a great way of promoting healthy eating within your work environment. The production of food rates pretty highly as an activity that degrades our environment, but there are a number of things you can do to reduce that. Organic food is not only better for you, but it is produced without the use of toxic chemicals and pesticides, thereby protecting our environment and also providing tastier and more nutritious food.

For further reading on diet and health www.nhf.org.nz

Also consider:

• Using natural pest deterrents e.g. a Bay Leaf and herbs in dry foods to deter weevils.
• Using a food-safe to keep out insects

Buy local fresh food that is in season. Transporting food across the country uses energy, decreases the food's vitality and increases the chances of food wastage.

Packaging can be handy for takeaways, and a good package will avoid food waste. However, much food is excessively packaged so consider the following:

• Buy your beverage supplies - sugar, milk, etc. - in bulk. Avoid single serves such as individually wrapped teabags and sugar sachets.
• Bring your own! Have reusable containers and bags available for staff takeaways.
• Insulated mugs with lids will last for hundreds of coffees - that's at least a week!
• Strike a deal with a local café for staff discounts when they bring their own containers.
• Plastics can leach chemicals into food - provide glass dishes especially for microwave heat-ups.
• Choose recycled content packaging or packaging that you will be able to recycle.

Last updated at 7:45pm on 12 June 2002



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