So what better time to explore the deeper impact of our food choices than on World Diversity Day (21 May)?
This global observance celebrates cultural richness and encourages open dialogue and inclusive development. But diversity doesn’t just apply to languages, traditions, or beliefs — it also lives in our kitchens, our gardens, and the meals we share.
This year, we're shining a spotlight on how our daily food habits can promote biodiversity, sustainability, and cultural celebration — one bite at a time.
Why Food Diversity Deserves a Place at the Table
Did you know that although more than 30,000 plants are edible, most of the world relies on just a handful of them? It’s estimated that 75% of our food comes from only 12 plants and 5 animal species. That’s not just a missed culinary opportunity — it’s a threat to biodiversity and food security.
When we celebrate and consume a wider variety of foods, we help protect traditional crops, encourage more sustainable farming, and bring often-overlooked ingredients back into the spotlight. Diversity on our plates can lead to greater resilience in the face of climate change, food shortages, and ecological imbalance.
5 Delicious Ways to Make Planet-Friendly, Diverse Food Choices
At That’s Food and Drink, we love a practical tip — especially when it leads to discovering delicious new ingredients. Here’s how you can celebrate World Diversity Day with your fork:
1. Explore Global Flavours
Try out recipes from cultures beyond your own. From Moroccan tagines to Filipino sinigang or Jamaican callaloo, cooking globally not only diversifies your diet but supports appreciation and respect for different culinary traditions.
2. Celebrate Forgotten Crops
Reacquaint yourself with heritage and ancient grains like spelt, teff, buckwheat, or emmer. These nutrient-rich ingredients are not only great for you, but they support more resilient agricultural systems too.
3. Eat Seasonally and Locally
Choosing British-grown produce in season — like rhubarb in spring, broad beans in summer, or root veg in autumn — reduces your carbon footprint and supports local growers keeping traditional varieties alive.
4. Go Plant-Forward
Meat-free meals don't mean boring meals. Pulses, nuts, seeds, and vegetables from around the world offer endless flavour combinations. Try a Middle Eastern lentil and bulgur mujaddara or a West African peanut stew for a sustainable supper.
5. Buy From Diverse Food Producers
Look for local businesses and food makers from diverse backgrounds. By supporting independent producers — whether through farmers’ markets, food festivals, or cultural food shops — you champion community-driven food diversity.
Food Is Culture, Connection, and Care
Food brings us together. It carries our stories, values, and sense of home. This World Diversity Day, let’s celebrate the deliciously diverse ways people grow, cook, and share food — and think about how each choice we make in the kitchen can nourish both people and the planet.
Looking for Inspiration?
We’re sharing a series of planet-positive recipes and ingredient spotlights this week on That’s Food and Drink. Follow along and tag your creations with #ThatsFoodAndDrink and #WorldDiversityDay — we’d love to see how you're eating for the planet and celebrating culture through food.