Top 10 Ways to Eat More Sustainably

1.  Choose Local - Purchase food grown as close to home as possible to eliminate dependence on fossil fuels for transport and promote a regional food supply.

2.  Choose Organic - Eat organic foods grown without toxic pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers, keeping our air, water, and soil clean and healthy for future generations.

3.  Shop at Farmer’s Markets - Support the local economy and get fresh, healthy food by buying directly from farmers in your community.

4.  Join a CSA - Invest in local farms that practice sustainable agriculture and receive the freshest, healthiest seasonal produce in return.

5.  Buy in Bulk - Cut down on unnecessary energy use and waste from excess packaging by buying nuts, grains, legumes, and cereals in bulk. They taste just as great!

6.  Sustainable Seafood - Protect our oceans and support responsible fishing by consuming sustainable seafood from fisheries that promote healthy fish populations and do not overfish.

7.  Go Grass-fed - Reduce the carbon footprint of beef production by consuming grass-fed beef. Pasture cows enjoy their natural diet and reduce the cost and impact of feed production and feedlots.

8.  Go Vegetarian - Eat nutritiously lower on the food chain by going vegetarian. You will reduce your carbon footprint significantly, since meat requires the most fossil fuels to produce and process. If you don’t want to go 100-percent vegetarian, you can lessen your impact by simply eating smaller portions of meat or substituting a few meat entrees a week with vegetarian entrees.

9.  Pack a Lunch – When you head out for school or work, plan ahead and bring your lunch in washable, reusable containers. This will not only save you money, it will reduce trash created by lunch eaten on the go. Reduce take-out meals in general by dining in or cooking at home. 

10. Grow Your Own - Become self-sufficient! If you have the means, grow your own fruits and vegetables. You can preserve them by canning or freezing for use out of season. You can reduce your waste by composting food scraps for fertilizer in your garden.