Nancy Wales, CSJ on behalf of the Federation Ecology Committee
No doubt, you know the size of your foot but are you aware of the size of your foodprint? Do I hear you asking yourself, “What is my foodprint?” Whatever foods make up your meals, your “foodprint” is the result of everything it takes to get those foodstuffs on your plate. It’s the calculated environmental impact of all the resources, including the land, and processes required to sustain your diet. Our daily choices increase or decrease the size of our foodprint. Raising our awareness of choosing differently can positively reduce its dimension.
There are several ways we can reduce our foodprint when eating at home:
By adopting one or more meatless meals per week. (“It's thought that half of global greenhouse-gas emissions are caused by animal agriculture.”- homestolove)
By buying as much as possible local in season produce thereby reducing the impact of transporting goods
By lessening the amount of food waste through meal planning before grocery shopping or making better use of your freezer
The websites, inhabitat, and foodprint (dot) provide us four reminders when eating out or ordering in:
Just say No: Inform your server if you don’t wish the extras such as rolls, chips or sauces which automatically come to the table. When placing your order, indicate you’re not interested in having the side item or ask to substitute an alternative.
Remember Season and Locale: Patronize restaurants having menu items geared to what’s in season rather the same dishes year- round. Enquire from where the restaurant sources its meats and vegetables. If the server seems uncertain, suggest the chef or manager might be asked.
Minimize Food Waste: Think about sharing an appetizer or entree. Consider bringing your own reusable container for “doggy bag” items.
Turn Down the Add Ins: When placing your takeout order, decline cutlery, plastics straws, napkins, and condiments. (Remember the bottle of ketchup, mustard and soy sauce in your fridge.)
Click on underlined links above for more information.
Graphic sourced from Pixabay
