How to make more sustainable food choices

In our global efforts to create a more sustainable future for all, choosing renewable energy is just the start. While our mission is to enable simple, free ways to choose alternative energy sources, long term sustainability requires community and individual action in a number of other ways. It’s important to explore the other choices we can make to affect even more positive change in our world.

With just a few simple changes, we can help fight against everything from obesity and heart disease to climate change, ocean dead zones, and pollution in our soil, air, and water.

From clean energy in your home to sustainable food on the table, the little decisions we make every day are integral to lowering our impact and meeting the promise for a more sustainable life. One of the easiest ways to start is to take action on your plate.

There are a number of easy, responsible food choices we can make that benefit both our health and the environment. With just a few simple changes, we can help fight against everything from obesity and heart disease to climate change, ocean dead zones, and pollution in our soil, air, and water.

Reduce consumption of industrial food products

How often do you think about where your food comes from? The term “foodprint” is used to understand what impact a food product has on the earth as it travels from its source to plate. The largest foodprints almost always come from products made by large industrial operations — especially big industrial livestock production facilities.

With a conscious effort to reduce your consumption of these industrial animal food products, we can make more sustainable impact on our land. Simply eating less red meat or participating in meatless Monday can make a huge difference. For both your health and the environment, consider switching to a diet based of rich plant-based foods — fruits, veggies, nuts, and whole grains.

Eat locally and seasonally

Support local farmers by purchasing seasonal, locally-grown fruits and vegetables. The vibrant taste of locally grown fresh summer fruit and hearty winter green vegetables grown an added benefit after flavor — a much lower foodprint from the fields to your table! By eating food that has been locally harvested and sold, you are choosing to consume fresh food that is healthier, often relying on fewer pesticides, preservatives, and transportation rigors.

Compost food

This is an easy one — compost! Choose to set aside food scraps and organic waste as a way to get the smelliest trash outside and help your soil health too. Composting is beneficial to the land in many ways and can be used as a natural pesticide, soil conditioner, or fertilizer. By composting food scraps, you can reduce your household waste production while redirecting the path of some trash away from toxic landfills and incinerators — a harmful source of greenhouse emissions.

Pick up a compost container from a local store or create your own compost at home to get started — it’s easy.

Start your own garden

When you grow your own food, you make every critical decision about where it comes from, and how it’s grown. The ultimate way to locally source.

Whether you start your garden in the backyard or as part of a community-wide experience, you can ensure important sustainable gardening practices. Avoid non-natural bug sprays, synthetic fertilizers, and the use of power tools like mowers and blowers.

More responsible choices

Whether you choose one or more of the sustainable food options here, each decision to support sustainability efforts has a positive effect on the larger global initiative to be more eco-friendly in everything that we do.

There are many ways we can make a difference for our planet. From sustainable food choices, to water consumption, and the energy sources we support — individuals can do a lot to help. Make the choices that make a difference. It can be convenient, affordable, and seamless in your life.