Eat Local
One of the best ways to live sustainably is by replacing
your unsustainable habits with sustainable habits. In some cases, you can do it, and not even
notice any difference in your life. One
of the simplest things you can change to promote a sustainable community is to
eat local. Eating locally produced food
reduces dependence on global supply, which reduces demand for environmentally unfriendly
mass food production. It also reduces
fuels used on transportation. Local food
also has more nutrients and is healthier for you due to the reduced
transportation time from farm to table.
Local food also supports the local economy, providing jobs today and
security tomorrow for your community. By
eating local, you can reduce your dependency on unsustainable global food,
while eating healthier. Take a look at
these 5 ways you can eat local.
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1.
When buying a quick meal, choose a locally owned
restaurant, not a national chain.
Local restaurants understand the dependency
that local businesses have for their communities. This gives them an incentive to source from
other local businesses. When you buy a
burger from a mom & pop shop, your money is getting spread to the many
businesses that supply that restaurant.
2.
Shop at the farmers market, instead of that big
grocery store.
Find out when and where the nearest
farmers market in your area is. You can
find all the produce you need (and some you didn’t know you need). Just like the restaurant option mentioned,
you will be creating a cascade effect in your local economy.
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3.
Eat seasonal foods.
Find out what grows in your area, and what
time of year it will be available. This
ensures you are eating the kinds of foods that were able to grow from natural
conditions, not in greenhouses or shipped from halfway across the world. You will also learn to look forward to when
your favorite foods are in season, and create meals based around the season.
4.
Grow your own food.
Have you ever wanted to be a gardener? Well here is your chance! Head down to your local nursery and ask for
recommendations on what to grow over the next few months. Even in a space as small as your window sill,
you can have food growing in no time. Not
only will it be delicious, but you will have the satisfaction of knowing you
did it yourself.
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5.
Join a CSA.
A CSA (community supported
agriculture) takes all the hassle out of
trying to track down local food, because it is brought together all in one
place! A CSA is a program that allows
you to buy a share in a farm, and reap a portion of the harvest. You also have the added benefit of supporting
a local farmer. This allows the farmer
to focus on the food, instead of marketing their products.
But these are not all the ways you
can eat local! Check out these great
sites to learn more about eating local, and supporting your local communities!
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