Earth Day is the perfect time to reflect on the impact you have on the environment and consider how you can make the world a better place! There are many ways to make a difference with just small, simple changes in your daily routine, such as turning off your tap when brushing your teeth, or carpooling to work one day a week.
One change you can make to your everyday is to support sustainable eating. Sustainable food is food that has been grown and produced using methods that are environmentally friendly, supports animal welfare, and is beneficial to local communities. If you’re not sure exactly why or how to start eating sustainably, keep reading to find out how!
Why Buy Sustainable Food?
Not convinced on making the change? Here are just a few reasons to make the switch.
Good for the Environment
Factory or industrial farms are considered one of the largest polluters in the world and produce more greenhouse gases than the transportation industry. They are also known to erode soil and deplete groundwater. Sustainable farmers produce fewer greenhouse gases, conserve groundwater, and use techniques such as composting to build healthy, long lasting soil. This will affect the quality, availability and price of food locally for the long-term.
Ethical Treatment of Animals
Livestock in many large-scale industrial farms are often kept in unnaturally confined conditions, where they sometimes don’t even have the space to move around. However, in many countries, there are very few farms at this large a scale. Livestock raised on “free range” farms are allowed to carry out their natural behaviours; for example, chickens can still move around freely to graze and peck. Free-range animals are also not given any antibiotics, growth hormones, or other chemicals. These animals are given access to the outdoors, unlike factory farms who keep their livestock constrained for most, if not all, of their lives. As often as possible, Stu and I purchase locally raised meat from sustainable farmers in our community. By getting to know farmers in your area, you may find out it’s easier to do this than you think!
Better Taste
The first time I had spinach from a local farmer was the first time I realized what spinach should actually taste like. By buying from local farmers, you are buying sustainable foods that have been grown close to home and hasn’t spent days ripening on a truck, boat or plane. You’ll be enjoying food that is grown or raised more naturally with less need for chemicals and is super duper fresh! … of course it’s going to taste better than what you find on a grocery store shelf. Buying local also helps to support your economy, and keep farmers who are trying to grow food the best way possible, in business.
Where to Shop for Sustainable Food
So where can you find all this amazing, fresh, ethically sourced, sustainable food? There are multiple places you can go whether you live in a small town or a big city.
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Programs
CSA’s have become increasingly popular across Canada and the world! CSAs help to directly link consumers (you!) to farmers. You pay a one-time fee to the farmer before the growing season begins and in return, you receive a box full of fresh, seasonal food regularly (i.e. once a week, 2x month or monthly) for the entire season. Usually, a full share would feed a family of four, and a half-share feeds a family of two to three. Traditionally, CSAs have only included fruit and vegetables; however, many have started to include eggs, meat, and dairy farms. CSAs not only benefit you in that you receive fresh food straight from a farm each week, but it also enables farmers to rely less on bank loans throughout growing season with your upfront payment. If you live in Ontario, check out the Ontario CSA Farm Directory to find a CSA in your area.
Farmer’s Markets
Farmer’s markets are a great way to find fresh, local, seasonal food – which is all sustainable. It also gives you the unique opportunity to talk directly with farmers to find out more about their farm and how they grow or raise their products. Purchasing your food at a farmer’s market means you’re supporting local agriculture and helping to keep small farms in business which can in turn keep your local food supply going for years to come. You’re also getting the freshest and tastiest products possible! During the summer and fall months, outdoor farmer’s markets pop up throughout many communities, but there are some places that also have indoor markets that operate all year long. To find a farmer’s market near you, go to Farmer’s Markets Ontario or Google Farmer’s Markets in your city. For helpful tips on making the most of your trip to the market, read our article on How to Fit Local Eating into Your Lifestyle.
One of my favourite places to order from is Bailey’s Local Food in Waterloo, ON. Not quite a CSA or a Farmer’s Market – this organization has seasonal, local food year round that you order first from a long list of options and then pick up weekly or monthly (depending on the season). It’s direct from the farmer and is absolutely amazing!
Farm Stands/”Pick Your Own” Farms
Farm stands and “pick your own” farms are extremely popular in the summer and fall months, especially in areas just outside the city. Farm stands can be as small as a little stand on the side of the road selling one type of crop, or can be a large, multi-food selling building on a farm. We visit the farm store at Fenwood Farms throughout the winter to get fresh, local and organic meat year-round. Many farms actually keep selling year-round from their gates! Talk to your farmers at markets during the harvest season to find out if you can continue to purchase from them in the “off-months”.
“Pick your own” farms are typically farms owned by berry and orchard growers. They allow consumers into the farm to pick their own fruits, such as strawberries and apples. It’s a fun way to spend the day with family or friends, and perfect if you want to savour the flavours of the season by canning or freezing fresh produce.
Grocery Store
Your grocery store may also carry local, seasonal foods items throughout the year and/or organic foods. NOTE: Organic doesn’t always mean grown close to home! Each item will have a sign to tell you where it is from, but if not – don’t be afraid to ask the staff for help!
Gardening
Another great way to eat sustainably is to grow food in your own backyard or on your balcony. My husband Stu and I started our garden about four years ago (and three homes ago) and it’s been an adventure ever since. It can be tricky to figure out how to grow food, where it grows best, how much to water or light you need, and more… but when you’re successfully eating a tomato and basil salad with food you grew…. It’s heaven!
3 Ways to Be More Sustainable
Beyond purchasing or growing your own food, there are more ways that you can eat sustainably.
- Eat Less Meat: Meatless Monday has become a growing phenomenon. Giving up meat one day each week is a simple way to start eating more sustainably. This strategy can also save you money, which you can use to purchase local or organic food as part of your sustainable eating plan. For meat-free recipes and strategies on eating vegetarian, read Meat-free Meals the low FODMAP Way.
- Make it from Scratch: Preparing meals from scratch means you have full control over what is going into the dish and into your mouth. This year, try canning or preserving some of the local goods. Here is a blueberry jam recipe that can help you enjoy local food enjoy year-round!
- Less Packaging: Try to buy products with less packaging or have reusable packaging on hand. Individually wrapped products are convenient, but not sustainable as they create extra waste that can fill our landfills. Be aware of packaging when shopping for food and try to choose products with less wrapping to reduce the amount of waste you create each week. My strategy? I use as little of those tiny plastic bags for produce as possible and always bring a basket and bags to my Farmer’s Market or Grocery Store. Packing food in a reusable container or a lunchbox is great way to reduce the amount of litter you produce as well and will save you money on buying plastic bags, foil, wrap, etc. Here are some of my favourite tools for packing a litter-less lunch.
By adopting just one or two of these suggestions, you can contribute towards creating a more sustainable, healthy earth. Happy Earth Day!
Much love & good eating,
Stephanie and the Team