1. You Bought It, You Eat It - Don’t Waste Food
When you waste food, you waste the energy used to grow, transport and cook it. In landfills, food waste releases methane gas, a highly potent greenhouse gas. Buy and prepare only the food you expect to eat. If you don’t finish it all in one sitting, save the leftovers.
2. Make "Seasonal and Regional" Your Food Mantra
Foods that are in season in your region are generally lower in carbon. Those should be your first choice. Be careful not to buy produce grown in greenhouses or hot-houses heated with non-renewable energy even if they’re close to you.
3. Moooove Away From Beef and Cheese
Livestock creates 18% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. If you eat meat and cheese, consider reducing portion sizes, selecting these items less frequently, and eating only those products you REALLY love.
4. Stop Flying Fish and Fruit - Don’t Buy Air-Freighted Food
For seafood and out of season produce, "fresh" often means "air-flown" which is 10 times more emission-intensive than transporting products by ship. The best quality seafood is usually ‘processed and frozen at sea’ and local produce tastes better.
5. If It’s Processed and Packaged, Skip It
Snack foods, most juices, even veggie burgers (prepared, boxed, frozen and transported) consume a lot of energy. We eat this stuff mindlessly. When you need a treat or an "easy grab," choose fresh local fruit, small quantities of nuts, and delicious homemade alternatives.
