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CHOOSE A CHALLENGE AND CHANGE THE WORLD
EAT IN-SEASON, SUSTAINABLE VEGETABLES
JOIN THE “EAT IN-SEASON, SUSTAINABLE VEGETABLES” CHALLENGE AND BE PART OF THE SOLUTION:
The food choices we make every day have a big effect on the environment. The further our food has to travel, the larger the carbon footprint. A typical North American meal contains ingredients from five foreign countries, and even domestically grown produce travels an average of 1,500 miles before it is sold.
Look for fresh foods with the fewest process steps from farm to plate. Shop for local in-season organic produce. You’ll choose to support your local farmers markets, have fresher fruits and vegetables and preserve genetic diversity.
HOW TO SUCCEED IN THIS CHALLENGE
1. Avoid pre-packaged, processed foods
In other words, eat real food. Freezing, packaging, processing, cooking, and refrigerating food all increase energy use.
2. Buy organic and other sustainable certifications
Organic agriculture, for example, is a safer choice for the environment and your family because organic growers don’t use synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. Pesticide use degrades air and water quality, while threatening the health of workers and communities. Organic agriculture is also often better than conventional agriculture in reducing global warming pollution.
Labels to look for
3. Choose local food options whenever possible
Avoid purchasing food imported by airplane. But keep in mind that the type of food and how it was produced may be of greater environmental significance. Find more about local farming co-ops; other shopping options
LINK
4. Know more about pesticide contamination
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) released their annual list of the “dirtiest” and “cleanest” fruits and vegetables available to U.S. consumers, ranking fresh produce based on their levels of pesticide contamination. LINK
· They’re considered The Clean Fifteen as they contain the lowest concentration of pesticides:
· Avocados
· Sweet corn*
· Pineapples
· Cabbage
· Sweet peas (frozen)
· Onions
· Asparagus
· Mangoes
· Papayas*
· Kiwi
· Eggplant
· Grapefruit
· Cantaloupe
· Cauliflower
· Sweet potatoes
*These foods are often GMO
These are considered The Dirty Dozen, and they contain the highest concentration of pesticides. Try to avoid these if not sustainable if possible:
· Apples
· Strawberries
· Grapes
· Celery
· Peaches
· Spinach
· Sweet Bell Peppers
· Nectarines (Imported)
· Cucumbers
· Cherry Tomatoes
· Snap Peas (Imported)
· Potatoes
· Hot Peppers
· Kale & Collard Greens