Making Environmentally Friendly Food-Related Choices By: Kaci Thompson

Food production taxes environmental resources and causes pollution. Consumers can make environmentally friendly choices at every step from food shopping to cooking and use of kitchen appliances to serving, cleanup, and waster disposal

Food Shopping Transportation – Whenever possible, walk or bicycle – Use Car pools; mass transit – Shop only once a week, share trips, take turns shopping with someone – Choose energy efficient vehicle

Food Shopping Food Choices – Choose foods low on food chain; ie. More plants and fewer animals that eat plants – Eat small portions of meat; select range-fed – Shop at farmers’ markets and roadside stands – Limit use of imported canned beef products (frequently come from cleared rain forest) – Choose seafood that has been farmed or fished in environmentally responsible ways – Choose chickens from local farms

Food Shopping Food Packages – Select foods with no packages; next best are reusable or recyclable – Buy juices in large glass or recyclable plastic bottles – Buy grains, legumes, and nuts in bulk; eggs in pressed fiber cartons – Carry reusable string or cloth shopping bags – Reuse plastic bags

Gardening Grow some of your own food in an outside garden Grow herbs planted in pots in your windowsill Compost all vegetable scraps, fruit peelings, and leftover plant foods

Cooking Food Cook foods quickly in a stir-fry, pressure cooker, or microwave oven When using an oven, bake a lot at once Use non-disposable utensils, dishes, and pans Use pumps instead of spray products

Kitchen Appliances Use fewer small electrical appliances When buying a large appliance, choose an energy-efficient one Consider solar power for electrical needs Set water heater at <130F and no hotter; wrap it and the hot-water pipes in insulation; install water-saving faucets Set refrigerator at 37F – 40F and freezer to 0F Keep all appliances clean and in good repair

Food Serving, Dish washing, and Waste Disposal Use “real” plates, cups, and glasses Use cloth towels and napkins, reusable storage containers with lids, reusable pans, and dishcloths Run the dishwasher only when it is full Recycle all paper, glass, plastic, and aluminum