Eat Better

Less Processed Food is Better: Enormous amounts of energy are used in food processing and packaging.  On average, half the cost is for the package.  Nutritional levels are greatly reduced and the average American eats 150 pounds of additives a year, most of which is sugar and salt, according to Care2.com, the online “green” networking source.

Eat Lower on the Food Chain: It takes up to 2,500 gallons of water to produce one pound of grain fed beef.  The same water could produce 16 pounds of broccoli, 25 pounds of potatoes, or enough wheat for five pounds of whole wheat bread.  In the United States, two billion tons of untreated sewage is discharged into the environment by cows.  For more information on the true cost of food, go to http://www.sierraclub.org/sustainable_consumption/

Consider the Environmental and Social Impacts:  Drinking shade-grown coffee saves the rain forest from being destroyed and reduces the amount of pesticides used.  Many fishing methods are highly destructive and fish farms can be dangerous for the environment.  Cooking and microwaving in plastic releases dangerous phthalates into food.  Buying fairly traded food helps improve the lives of farmers in undeveloped countries. The United States permits wide use of methyl bromide for tomatoes, strawberries, peppers, Christmas trees and other crops, even chemical depletes the Earth’s protective ozone layer and can harm the human neurological system.

Choose Organic:  Organic can cost 20 to 25 percent more, but their true “cost” may be less.  If all indirect costs of food production B cleanup of polluted water, replacement of eroded soils, costs of health care for farmers and their workers B were factored into the price of food, organic foods would cost the same or, more likely, be cheaper.

Eat Locally Produced Food:  One of our most important choices is locally (or regionally) produced food.  The environmental cost of shipping food is extremely high.  Shop where the grocer identifies the source of the food.  Look for local specialty products.

Eat Seasonally Produced Local Food:  In the winter, soft summer fruits can come from as far away as Chile.  During the local growing season it is important to support local growers at farmer=s markets.

Consider Packaging:  Many foods, including fresh produce, are over-packaged.  A green pepper or a potato comes from nature already packaged and doesn’t need shrink wrap or a plastic bag.  Ask whether packaging comes from a renewable source and can be recycled.  Use packaging over and over, if possible.  Carry your own cloth shopping bags.