Sustainability Scoring Matrix

As parents, we want to pass on to our children a collection of delicious, healthy, good-for-the-planet recipes that also save time and money. 

So we created a sustainability scoring matrix to take an honest look at each meal we make. 

This is our matrix for determining how sustainable each meal is:

• Time to make 
• 1 = 3+ hours
• 2 = 1-2 hours
• 3 = <1 hour

• Servings 
• 1 = <4 servings
• 2 = 4-6 servings
• 3 = lots of leftovers
• Cost per person 
• 1 = >$20
• 2 = $5-20
• 3 = <$5
• Deliciousness 
• 1 = inedible
• 2 = decent meal
• 3 = when are we having this again?
• Environmental impact 
• 1 = wowzers (endangered/imported)
• 2 = moderate impact
• 3 = minimal damage
• Nutritional value
• 1 = eat rarely (high sugar/fat)
• 2 = healthy-ish
• 3 = optimal nutrition

Each factor is scored 1, 2, or 3 according to how long it takes, how much it costs, etc. Then the scores are all added up to get the overall sustainability score, which has a maximum of 18.

Anything that scores over 15 goes into our family favorites cookbook.