Food

Making a Difference Through Food Choices

 

The Big Picture

 

Your plate holds more power than you might think! Food choices matter for the planet, and here’s why: Every bite you take impacts the environment. 🌍

 

  1. Plant-Based Goodness: Opt for more plant-based meals. Why? Because plant-based diets have a lower carbon footprint. By reducing meat consumption and embracing veggies, legumes, and grains, you’re not only benefiting your health but also reducing greenhouse gas emissions. 🌱
  2. Local and Seasonal: Choose local and seasonal produce whenever possible. When you buy locally grown fruits and veggies, you support nearby farmers and reduce the energy needed for transportation. Plus, seasonal foods taste fresher and are often more nutritious. 🍎🥕
  3. Cut Down on Waste: Be mindful of food waste. Plan meals, store leftovers properly, and compost what you can. Wasted food contributes to landfills and generates methane—a potent greenhouse gas. Let’s minimize our food footprint! 🗑️
  4. Sustainable Seafood: If you’re a seafood lover, look for sustainably sourced fish. Overfishing harms marine ecosystems. By choosing responsibly caught seafood, you help protect our oceans and marine life. 🐟🌊
  5. Mindful Packaging: Consider packaging. Single-use plastics are a menace. Opt for products with minimal packaging or choose reusable containers. Small steps add up! 🌿

 

Remember, every meal is an opportunity to make a positive impact. So, let’s savor our food while being kind to the planet. Bon appétit! 🍽️💚

 

 

Get the Facts

 

  • People who eat only plant-based food are responsible for 75 percent less greenhouse gas emissions than those who eat more than 3.5 ounces of meat a day. (That’s less than a quarter pound burger patty, by the way.)[has the numbers from a new study]
  • Compared to meat-heavy diets, vegan diets resulted in:
    • 75 percent less land use
    • 54 percent less water use, and
    • 66 percent less biodiversity loss
  • Food waste in the US occurs mostly in stores and at home—either because it spoils on the store shelf or before we can eat it.
    • According to an NRDC study, Americans throw away up to 40 percent of the food they buy.
    • Project Drawdown estimates that curbing food waste could avoid a whopping 70.5 gigatons of CO2—that’s a bigger impact than restoring 435 million acres of tropical forest!
  • See SaveTheFood and IValueFood for more information.

 

 

Take Action!

 

Eat Less Meat
 

 

Reduce food waste

 

 

Eat Local

 

Grow Your Own Food

 

Volunteer