Become a more sustainable eater
Eating sustainably can be a difficult task when most of us are not entirely sure where exactly our food comes from or how it is made. Despite that, there are some small steps we can all take to make our eating habits a bit cleaner.
Animal Products?
It is well documented that producing animal products is taxing on the environment and our natural resources, but many of us are not ready to give them up entirely. Aside from cutting out animal products completely, there are some things meat and dairy eaters can do to minimize the damage.
When shopping for meat, dairy or eggs, look for products that promise free-roam/range or pastured. This means the animal product was not developed at a factory farm and the animals were allowed to roam outdoors. It is a common misconception that cage-free also falls into this category, but these animals are typically not allowed outside. Animals that are provided enough space and the ability to roam outside are considered more sustainable.
When it comes to beef, look for labels that claim no hormones or antibiotic-free. This means the cattle were not injected with growth hormones to expedite product. This option is typically more humane for the animal.
Shop Organic
When shopping for produce, organic is the way to go. This promises the food has been grown naturally without the use of chemicals like fertilizers or pesticides. The use of these chemicals tend to have damaging effects on the soil and groundwater, as well as being deadly to native species of plants and insects.
Because organic produce is grown naturally, it is best to shop for fruits and vegetables when they are in season to get the best results. Shopping seasonally will also cost you less money when buying organic.
Go Local
Shopping local is a sustainable option that also allows you to support your community and small businesses. Buying from smaller farms and vendors will reduce shipping costs and carbon emissions.
Shop for food at your local farmer’s market or eat at local, independent restaurants. To find restaurants or stores near you, the conscious city guide can help. They provide locations of more sustainable and ethical places to eat in cities all over the world, making it a great resource when traveling.
Online Resources
To get exactly what you’re looking for, there are online retailers that offer sustainable food all in one place.
Thrive Market offers 100% organic foods and a plethora of plant-based products. They offer food and ingredients for a range of diets and have guaranteed price matching. They offer the sustainable and organic products one could find at Sprouts, but at a much more reasonable price. They also provide carbon-neutral shipping straight to your door.
Another online retailer is offering you the option of buying ugly produce. Imperfect Foods collects surplus or ugly produce that would otherwise go to waste, despite being perfectly edible. They work with farmers and producers to buy the products that larger retailers would not accept solely based on its appearance and save it from being wasted. They also deliver you and your community’s products on the same day to reduce carbon emissions.
