Wondering what you can do?
There are practical things we can all do to support local food systems.
Agriculture & Local Food
We buy locally produced food when possible (e.g., from the market).
Local food has a reduced impact on the environment because it doesn’t have to travel thousands of kilometers to get to you. It also supports your local economy.
We try to eat food that is mostly in season.
By eating what’s growing in your area right now, you’re eating locally and supporting the farmers in your area.
We don’t use pesticides on our property.
Pesticides can leech into your water, contaminate your soil, and get into the food chain.
We buy sustainably caught or farmed fish.
Some fishing practices harm the environment and other species. Look for Marine Stewardship Council certified seafood.
We buy organic food.
It’s a way of growing and processing food that is both environmentally and animal friendly.
We plant our own garden or have a plot in a community garden.
Eating local, organic and in season reduces your carbon footprint and is healthy.
We eat a reduced meat diet, or we are vegetarians or vegans.
Large-scale meat production has the biggest negative impact on the planet, more than any other food produced. Some of the environmental effects include water and land consumption, along with fossil fuel usage, animal methane and affluent waste. Even just eating vegetarian meals once a week can help.