Make meals with friends
NB - During the Coronavirus outbreak, we encourage people to make their meals with friends virtually. Stay healthy, and respect the official advice given wherever you live.
Cooking with other people may improve your social life, but did you know that it can also be good for the health of you and the planet?
By pooling resources you cut down on waste, and it’s a great opportunity to explore new foods too, all whilst having fun with friends.
Health
Think of social cooking and you may think of dinner parties, overeating and lots of alcohol. But with the right attitude, it can also be used as a tool to encourage each other to eat well.
Cooking with others encourages you to make your own, home-cooked food, which studies have shown on average contains less fat, carbohydrates and sugar than shop-bought equivalents.1
Money
Cooking with friends and sharing meals allows you to bulk-buy food, which can save you a tonne of money. Either split the costs and cook together, or organise a rota system where you take it in turns to buy and cook the meal: with enough friends, you’d only have to pay for a handful of meals a month!
Climate change
Ovens, microwaves, kettles, slow cookers… Cooking is an energy-intensive business, accounting for 20% of a household’s energy use2
Making meals together means that you’ll have to power fewer kitchens, meaning fewer carbon emissions.
7 mil
Waste
How much food do you buy which you never end up eating?
Food waste is fast becoming a big problem, with landfill sites reaching capacity and space running out to bury our ever-growing mountains of rubbish. Cooking with others means you are more likely to plan your meals carefully, and only buy what you need, cutting down on waste.
Plus, you’ll always be able to find someone to eat up your left-overs!
Fun
Humans are social creatures, and cooking together is a great way to catch up with friends and explore new foods. You could even try themed nights, where you try creating foods from other cultures. In this case, too many cooks definitely won’t spoil the broth!
Global Goals
In September 2017, a historic agreement was signed by UN member nations agreeing to work towards 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development by 2030, otherwise known as the SDGs.
Achieving these ambitious goals will require action from governments, businesses, NGOs, and individuals alike. We can - and must - all play our part.
By making the 'Cook social' pledge, you are contributing to the following SDG targets:
3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being
12.3: By 2030, halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses
12.8: By 2030, ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature
Success Stories
662
Pledges
in total
2,353kg
CO2
pledged