Is it sustainable?
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EmailEating sustainably has many benefits to not only the individual but the community. Moving toward more sustainable eating improves the economy of the community, reduces use of limited natural resources and helps sustain a healthy and nutritious diet.
“Sustainability” has been a major buzzword in the past few years, and more recently, eating sustainably has been a huge food trend. So what does this mean? Eating sustainably takes into account the means of production for food and the environmental impact eating certain foods has. The following tips from Michigan State University Extension will help you learn the personal, economical and environmental benefits of eating sustainably.
Eating sustainably helps conserve natural resources and ensure that we will have these natural resources for our children and our children’s children. By eating locally we can decrease our impact on the environment. Less fossil fuels are used when produce is shipped within the state rather than internationally.
Eating sustainably is not just beneficial for the environment; it’s also beneficial for the consumer! Local produce is just as cheap or even cheaper than produce sold from all over the nation. Local produce tends to have a better and fresher taste. It also has a higher nutritional content than produce shipped from all over the world. Buying locally helps the economy in the community as well. Keeping money in the community benefits not only the farmer but also helps the community by keeping money recirculating to small businesses.
Take advantage of the bounty a Michigan summer can provide. Once the growing season starts, Farmer’s Markets can provide a myriad of Michigan produce and continue to be ever changing as the weeks go by. Talk to the farmers at the market. By initiating the conversation you can learn about resources you might not have thought of and find more local and sustainably produced products and providers. They also tend to have creative recipe ideas using what is currently in season.
Try growing your own produce at home. Even starting out small with potted plants on your deck or patio can help you get into eating locally. Not only will it give you better insight to what it takes to grow your own food, you will reap all the rewards of your hard work when you eat produce that you picked the very same day. Tomatoes and herbs are a good place to start.
Eat seasonally. We realize that the fresh blueberries sold in the stores in Michigan in February are probably not local, (check for made in MI on the label) but how can we continue eating sustainably in the dead of a Michigan winter? This chart can help! Take advantage of what is in season and find new ways to reinvent your favorite fruits and vegetables.
Looking for a farmer’s market near you? Search by county, city or day and fresh Michigan produce won’t be far away!
