Eat Local and Lower on the Food Chain - Take Heart - Christian Vegetarian Association

Eat Local and Lower on the Food Chain

While eating local seems to be widely accepted as a good choice to help restore the environment, eating local animal foods defeats the purpose, since eating local has far less impact on the environment compared with eating lower on the food chain. For example, eating chicken, beef or other animals involves the use of grains and beans that were transported hundreds and thousands of miles. The following are some tips to eat lower on the food chain as well as local:

* Explore farmers’ markets.

* Seek out community-supported agriculture (e.g. www.ladybugorganics.com).

* Take a weekend country drive to discover farm gate sales.

* Start a backyard or balcony garden; plant herbs on the windowsill.

* Grow garlic, kale, mustard greens, turnips, cabbage, spinach and Swiss chard outdoors well

into winter. A hotbox or greenhouse allows plants to flourish in colder weather.

* Walk around your neighborhood to find community gardens.

* Choose local produce at supermarkets and request that they buy locally.

* Buy seasonal foods in bulk and preserve or freeze.

To read the full article please search online for Love your local fare