Food: doing it sustainably
Remember the cereal that you ate for breakfast? Or the pizza you had at lunchtime? If I were to ask you how that food was grown, or even where the farms were would you know the answer? Probably not.
And you wouldn’t be the only one. Even though we eat everyday, we don’t often think of what goes into our food. We’ve become interested in creating the cheapest food in the greatest abundance and this disconnection with our food source has created huge problems for our environment. Still, there is a growing movement to combat these problems.
It’s easy to go to the supermarket and buy an $8 can of soup in the health food section that says something like “organic” or “all-natural”. That seems pretty good, right? Not always. While many of these products may be environmentally responsible, a lot of them are simply following the trend of green-living. They could be hiding details from you or stretching the truth to make it seem like they are selling you a product that is going to save all the polar bears in Arctic.
Sustainable food goes so much further than a package that says organic. We need to think of the farming process, its transportation, and its ecological effects.
Eating sustainably can seem like a daunting task. But do not despair, it is so much easier than you think!
My number one tip for eating sustainably? Think local! So much of our food can be grown within a couple hours drive from where you live, instead of outsourcing it to far away lands. So take advantage of that! Local food is delicious, nutritious, and oh so sustainable! If you have a look around your regular grocery store, you’d be shocked by how much of the produce, dairy, and meat have been locally sourced. When you’re looking around the grocery store, try to buy single ingredients instead of prepared food. That way, you can be sure that there aren’t tons of mystery 20-letter-long ingredients in your food too!
Even better, check out your local farmers market. Most cities and towns have one and they are hands down the best source for fresh, local, and sustainable food. Get to know the vendors and the farmers and ask questions!
Everyday you are given the option of what you eat. So spend a little bit more time thinking about what you are eating, and the effects that your food choices may have. Read beyond the packages, think local, get to know your farmers, and you’re on the right track to enjoy some planet-friendly food!
P.S. If you want to learn more about this, check out Robert Kenner’s documentary Food Inc.
Photo: Handcuff-Jocky
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