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I don't consider this type of decision making obsessively environmental but really a simple decision making process that is not particularly limiting.
Lots of small differences make a big difference.
What I look at when I shop:
1) Ingredients - look for shortest ingredient list, especially processed ingredients. More health based but has an environment impact as well I suspect.
Then...
2) I check to see where something is made/processed.
I live in Ohio, I buy sugar from the Midwest, not cane sugar from FL. (Plus can sugar has negative impacts on the everglades but that would be another list). Why buy canned green beans from across the country if the other brand comes from a couple of states away?
3) Packaging. If you have a choice between something in glass or plastic, glass. Plastic or cardboard - cardboard. Like laundry soap!
Michael Polin, in his "Food Rules" says to shop around the perimeter of the grocery store, since most of the processed food is on the inside aisles. I dont follow that too much since Cheerios, Chex, and Quaker Oats are on the inside aisles, but the concept seems valid based on what I see in the stores I shop at.
I guess looking for organics and free range meat would be another suggestion.
Michael Polin, in his "Food Rules" says to shop around the perimeter of the grocery store, since most of the processed food is on the inside aisles. I dont follow that too much since Cheerios, Chex, and Quaker Oats are on the inside aisles, but the concept seems valid based on what I see in the stores I shop at.
I guess looking for organics and free range meat would be another suggestion.
I never noticed that until you posted it, the perimeter shopping. Very good point, cept for certain spices.
i think so too
here is what we do
first we shop at the farms, then farmers markets, and then go to the grocery store to buy whatever we CANNOT get locally.
I have found in VT we can get local flour, oats, beer,milk, cheese, butter etc. all of these can come within 100 miles of where we live! then whatever we cant get here, buy from good companies.
i think so too
here is what we do
first we shop at the farms, then farmers markets, and then go to the grocery store to buy whatever we CANNOT get locally.
I have found in VT we can get local flour, oats, beer,milk, cheese, butter etc. all of these can come within 100 miles of where we live! then whatever we cant get here, buy from good companies.
How much energy do you use by going from place to place to place to place.......etc? Is your shopping done in a 100 mile radius? That is not "green", LOL! Tounge-n-cheek, Joe. I could never drive that much with my wife and kids for food.
But seriously, do you go 100 miles?
PS sorry for joke'n around, I just had an image in my head of the kids kill'n themselves while we look for groc...........BTDT.
Reduce your meat consumption or eliminate meat from your diet altogether. Of almost any component of the American diet, meat is the one that causes the most pollution.
honestly we usually do shop for groceries maybe 3 times a week. we do run around a little, but we're talking about farms, grocery stores and farmers market all within 5 miles.
Reduce your meat consumption or eliminate meat from your diet altogether. Of almost any component of the American diet, meat is the one that causes the most pollution.
I've never heard of this, can you post some links so I can see the facts?
The "greenest" food comes from your own backyard. Grow what you can.
Like joe moving, we like to shop at the local farm-store/csa. Our nearest outlet is five blocks (yes blocks) away, so we bike or walk there. We are probably more lucky than most as we are in a small town in the midwest, surrounded by abundant farmland.
Third option would be the local co-op.
At traditional grocery stores we "perimiter shop" as mentioned above. It's not really so much about "being green". I just like food that a)tastes good b) is healthy and nourishing.
When I do need to make a driving trip to the "big" grocery store, I often call a friend/neighbor so we can car-pool.
Oh, and since we are having fun on this thread, don't forget to "drink locally" when you can. Find a micro-brewery near you . No need to ship/fly/truck beer in from goodness-knows-where.. Americans are getting pretty darn good at crafting beer (Three Floyds[IN] and Bells[MI] are two of my regional favorites). Unfortunately, I still have not grown fond of Midwestern Wine .
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I never noticed that until you posted it, the perimeter shopping. Very good point, cept for certain spices.
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