By implementing even one of the practices below, you will be well on your way to advocating for and supporting a food system that works for the health of both people and planet. Even small changes can really add up over time so never take for granted what even one person can do to change the world for the better.
Eat Locally
Eating locally is one of the best ways that you can support a more sustainable food system as it helps to reduce the carbon impact your food has from transportation and allows you to get to know your local farmers. One of the best ways that you can work to eat more locally is by seeking out local farmers markets or CSAs (community supported agriculture programs) in your area. Showing your support to your local farmers in this way helps to protect your local food system, environment, and makes for a more regionally independent and sustainable local food system.
Support Regenerative and Organic Farming
In addition to eating locally, choosing to support regenerative and organic farming as much as possible is equally important as it helps farmers make the often more expensive transition to sustainable farming, and shows larger farms and corporations that there is an economic incentive to farming in this way. While choosing organic and regeneratively grown food can be more expensive, try to think of it as a priority for the future of your health, the health of your family, and the health of the planet.
Purchase From Sustainable Brands
Brands absolutely have a role to play in supporting a sustainable food system, which is why showing your support for brands that are farming the right way is so important. Amazing Grass is a great example of a sustainable company that began as a small family farm in Kansas committed to growing organic harvests that put the health of people and the environment first. Their reason for farming since the beginning has been to support the earth using slow growing and organic practices, while growing the most nutrient dense food possible for the health of people everywhere.
Eat More In Season
Similarly to eating locally, eating in season is a great way to support your local food system, get more acquainted with what is in season in your area, and reduce the carbon impact of your food. Often before people start eating seasonally they aren’t even aware of when their favorite foods are actually grown and harvested. This can sometimes feel a little overwhelming, which is why the Seasonal Food Guide Calendar is such an amazing resource to utilize when first getting started with seasonal eating. Simply choose your state and the month you are in and it will show you a complete list of everything that is in season in your area.
For those that do live in regions where locally grown food can be limited during certain times of the year (like during the winter or extreme summer heat) it is best to focus on eating in-season as often as possible during the other months, and then prioritize choosing organic and sustainably grown food that may need to come from further away during those low-growing months.
Educate Your Friends And Family
Once you have started to make some changes to supporting a more sustainable food system in your own life it is time to start sharing everything you have learned with your friends and family. Education has so much power and the more people are aware of the ways they can make changes to support a better food system the more impact we will begin to make. So don’t be afraid to share what you have learned with those that you love and use your newfound education for good!