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Sustainable Food Practices

Updated: Aug 17, 2020

By Jasmine Westerdahl


"Protecting our Planet"

Sustainability has become a growing topic of interest in our country. What is sustainability? According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, the term “sustainable” is defined as “of, relating to, or being a method of harvesting or using a resource so that the resource is not depleted or permanently damaged”.

The adoption of various forms of sustainable practices have become increasingly popular over the years like transitioning to clean and renewable energy, using more fuel-efficient means of transportation, producing less waste, etc. However, one of the easiest ways we can cut down on our environmental impact, is by focusing on changing what we put on our plate, and the entire process leading up to that first bite.

Here are a few easy tips on how to adopt more sustainable food practices.


Eat More Plant-Based

Adopting a more plant-based diet is beneficial for the environment because plant foods use fewer natural resources than animal-based foods. According to “Plant-Based Diets: Considerations for Environmental Impact, Protein Quality, and Exercise Performance”, the production of plant proteins requires less land, water, and energy compared to animal protein, as well as results in less greenhouse gas emission accumulation to occur.


Here are two infographics to help put things into perspective.


Limit Your Food Waste

Reducing food waste, that is, reducing the amount of food discarded, is not only a useful money-saving practice, but also reduces one’s environmental impact. According to the USDA, food waste and/or loss at both the retail and consumer levels was approximately 133 billion pounds and around 30% of the entire food supply. Where does all this waste go? They end up in landfills, and although organic material is technically biodegradable, landfills don’t facilitate a good environment for the breakdown of food. As a result, this food continues to sit for decades, releasing methane, a greenhouse gas.


So how do we decrease our food waste? Here are a few ways to do so.

  • Be realistic when shopping; make a shopping list and only buy food that you know you will use!

  • Be creative in the kitchen; find different ways to use as much of the fruit or vegetable as possible.

  • Compost your spoiled and/or leftover fruit and vegetable scraps. Turn your food waste into nutrient-dense fertilizer that you can use for your garden.

  • Actually eat your leftovers!

Shop Locally & Eat Seasonally

Shopping at your local farmers market is a great way to support your community and contribute to the local economy. However, there are benefits of local shopping that go beyond its economical contribution. Local farmers are generally more willing and likely to adopt sound farming practices that limit its environmental impact to a minimum.


Buying produce and other foods locally as well as eating seasonally, cuts down on the amount of fuel that is generally used to ship and import food products, because food travels a shorter distance to get to your plate. Less packaging is also used, which means less trash going into those landfills.

Buy in Bulk

Purchasing foods from the bulk bin helps reduce the personal waste that we would generally produce from buying packaged goods. It also reduces food waste because shoppers have control over how much food they wish to purchase, allowing one to buy exactly what they need. A benefit: it also gives you the opportunity to try new things because you can buy them in very small amounts. Buying in bulk is also a great way to cut food cost. The price per unit of food is generally always cheaper at the bulk bins.


If you want to start visiting the bulk section more often, consider bringing your own reusable dry goods bags, mason jars or other containers. Just don’t forget to determine your tare weight beforehand so you’re not being charged for the extra weight of the containers!



These small changes are all things that can be implemented daily. Just remember, it’s not about perfection! Every action, no matter how small (or large), can create positive change.


Reference





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