vegan almond cake

You may have heard in the media that many people are talking about the ethics of eating almonds and avocados, along with a few other ‘plant-based foods’. This is basically to do with modern industrial farming methods (that kill bees in their billions in North America) by not protecting the wildlife habitats of bees, during and after harvesting.

Above is a recipe for vegan almond cake (Rainbow Nourishments) which is fine, if you use sustainably-sourced nuts.

Avoid nuts for young children and allergies, and keep away from pets. Read more on food safety for people & pets.

Most almonds sold in the world are farmed in California, where they use a colossal amount of water, in a state prone to drought. Big corporate farms also use pesticides that lead to lead to monoculture orchards, so bees get sick (more bees die in the US, than animals and fish slaughtered for food).

The Bee Better Certified program gives consumers the choice to buy almonds that are grown/produced by companies that are inspected & certified (a bit like our Soil Association), to ensure pollinator-friendly practices.

organic almond milk

Another option is to simply buy almonds from Europe, that are not farmed in the same harmful manner. Forest Wholefoods sell organic Italian almonds (recycle packaging at supermarket bag bins). , if your kerbside does not recycle). You can also buy heat-treated blanched organic almonds (grind to make almond flour). Or buy organic blanched almond flour.

For almond milk, Devon’s ReRooted Almond Milk (sold in returnable glass bottles) uses almonds from Italy or Spain, depending on season.

Some people grow organic almond trees in England. If you do this, read up on how to make gardens safe for pets (many nut and fruit trees are also unsafe near horses). 

Switch from Avocados to Smashed Peas!

smashed peas on toast

Avocados have become a beloved staple in modern diets, and often served on toast in cafes as a ‘gourmet vegan breakfast’. Besides not being local, there are again ethical dilemmas. Try smashed peas on toast (Forager Project) instead.

Keep avocados away from pets. 

A bit like the palm oil issue in Indonesia, the popularity of avocado has led to deforestation in Mexico, as forests are cleared for new plantations. This also reduces the land’s capacity to absorb carbon dioxide, which leads to more climate issues.

Avocado orchards also use colossal amounts of water (around 272 litres to grow each one). Mexico already has a water shortage, so this just makes a serious problem worse. Local people may even struggle to find fresh water to drink, as it’s going on growing avocados, to export to swanky London restaurants.

If you do choose to buy avocados, look for brands that are Fair Trade certified, and grown organically. Or better yet, switch to smashed peas. Chef Chef Jack Croft says the ‘taste’ from avocado on toast comes more from the seasonings (say lime and coriander in guacamole). Try making pea guacamole!

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