It may be surprising, but the food you eat can affect the environment. How food is grown, packaged, transported, prepared, and thrown away all play a role. In fact, the food industry is responsible for about a quarter of global carbon emissions.
When it comes to sustainable eating, less really is more. The less food travels, the less packaging it uses, and the less that goes to waste, the better it is for the planet. Of course, price and taste matter. Still, when you can, small choices make a difference.
Here are a few ways to eat more sustainably:
- Buy local food. Locally grown food travels shorter distances and often uses less packaging. Community Supported Agriculture programs, also called CSAs, sell fresh food directly from farms to consumers. You can search for a CSA near you through the USDA Local Food Portal.
- Choose low- or no-packaging options. Some stores offer products without extra packaging, which helps reduce waste. You can search online for zero-waste or bulk stores in your area.
- Buy only what you need. Planning meals and shopping carefully can prevent food waste.
- Donate extra food. Safe, unused food can often be donated to a community refrigerator or local food pantry, helping reduce waste while supporting others.
- Eat more plant-based meals. Meat production and transportation require significant resources and can impact air, land, and water. Adding more meals centered on grains, vegetables, and legumes can lower your environmental impact.
- Choose organic when possible. Organic foods are not necessarily healthier than conventional options. However, organic farming practices may reduce pollution, improve soil quality, and limit exposure to certain chemicals.
- Compost food scraps. Composting keeps food waste out of landfills and returns valuable nutrients to the soil.
Sustainable eating does not have to feel overwhelming. Once you begin making small, thoughtful choices, eating more sustainably will become a natural habit.
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