Launch: Identify local farmers markets

Farmers markets allow local and smaller scale producers to sell directly to consumers. Because of the fact that the goods sold are coming from local farms, the distance that food had to travel to get to your plate is on average much shorter than the food you would buy from a traditional grocery store. This reduces your food footprint or “food miles” and contributes to a more sustainable food economy. In addition, by supporting local farmers, you are contributing to a more diverse food economy, rather than one that is dominated by just a few major brands.

Launch: Enroll in a local CSA

CSAs, or Community Supported Agriculture, are subscription services that allow you to source your produce from local farms based on whatever is in season. Each month you pay a fee and receive (or have to pick up) box shipments of whatever is growing. Not only are you likely to get more freshly picked produce, but you are also contributing a more diversified food economy where smaller scale producers have a chance to make a living. Lastly, by participating, you are reducing the amount of miles your food had to travel from where it’s grown to your plate.

Launch: Identify where in your routine you can reduce or skip meat

Unfortunately, there are many reasons why consuming meat, particularly beef, is not the best choice for the environment. Consider, for example, that on average, a single hamburger takes about one month’s worth of showers to produce in terms of water usage. This does not even factor the amount of other types of resource lost for the production of cattle, including natural wildlife habitats cleared for agricultural development. Learn more about the resources required to produce your food here and here and grab some meat-free recipes here.

Launch: Plan a vegetable garden

If you have a yard or balcony with some sunshine, planning and planting a vegetable garden can be both therapeutic and positive for the environment. Growing food on the existing land area you already have means no new land needs to be cleared for additional agriculture. Furthermore, growing and eating food produced at home vastly reduces the “food miles” of what you eat, meaning it doesn’t have to travel far and contribute to greenhouse gas emissions to get to your plate. If you can, grow your food using organic methods, including avoiding synthetic pesticides and fertilizers.

Launch: Learn about sustainable food labels

Unless you have a large amount of land to grow food or a farmer’s market right nearby, it’s likely you’re going to need to purchase at least some amount of your food from a grocery store. However, learning about the list of labels on our food packaging and what they mean can be overwhelming. There’s USDA Organic, RSPO Palm Oil free, MSC, Fair Trade – the list goes on. Start by reading about what each of these labels mean, and then, when possible, identify which foods you can buy with those labels that fits within your budget. It’s important to first gain a thorough understanding of what these labels mean to ensure you are not being greenwashed.

Launch: Learn about how to reduce food waste

Did you know that with a few simple adjustments, you can make certain foods regrow or last longer? Take green onions, for example. Rather than throw away the ends, you can place them in a shallow cup of water or soil with roots facing down and watch them regrow. The same can be done with several other vegetables, including lettuce. There are also a number of hacks to learn about for how to make your food last longer. Wrapping certain herbs in a moist paper towel or storing fruits in particular ways can vastly increase their shelf life. Learn more about food storage hacks here and how to regrow certain foods here. Image: The Harvest Skillet