Sustainable Eating? Unless you are a self-sufficient person/household all of us make the usual demand on the environment, world trade routes, foreign labour (sometimes exploited), energy/nutrient transfer, social impact, economic slavery, food waste, etc. But we can choose to make lighter choices. This article deals with the product side of the equation but there are some other aspects to consider - how is the product packaged, how is it processed (none is the best), who it is purchased from and how much money is staying in the local economy. They highlighted the difference of growing methods which is quite significant (more on this below). I also think it unfair to have bananas highlighted. In a book a few years ago a researcher looked at the environmental impact of many foods and he found that surprisingly that bananas footprint was much lower than expected. Mostly because they are shipped green and then ripened at the their destination. As this article points out - the method of transportation is very important. According to the Worldwatch Institute a product that is shipped by rail produces about 1/10 of the GHG of sipping the same product via truck. In another report they created some time before they estimated that 83% of the GHG were generated before the actual produce left the farm gate. As the UNFAO report (Livestocks Long Shadow), the Worldwatch report pointed out in their report (Live Stock and Climate Change - worldwatch.org/files/pdf/Livestock%20and%20Climate%20Change.pdf), Environmental Working Group (as referenced in this article listed below) - the cost of meat production and consumption is VERY significant. Comparing items is not so easy and many aspects to consider on our food choices. This is the main reason why Earths General Store does food - it is the number one way we affect the world. We offer better options at fair value. Anyway - food for thought.
Posted on: Tue, 29 Jul 2014 14:14:26 +0000
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