4 simple ways to shop sustainably for groceries 🛒 🌱

What are some things you consider when choosing the foods you shop for?

Do you know which food items help us maintain Earth's natural resources?

Having a keen eye for sustainable food products will help you get started on your sustainable shopping journey!

Sustainable shopping revolves aroundthree main questions to ask yourself while shopping.

In her book How to Be a Conscious Eater , Sophie Egan states, "Ask yourself if you are optimizing at least one of these factors with every food choice."

1. Is this good for me?

Is it nutritious, wholesome, and safely produced?

2. Is this good for others?

Is it made with humane practices for animals and producers?

3. Is it good for the planet?

Is it made or sold with eco-friendly packaging?

One of these criteria may be enough, such as choosing all fresh, certified organic ingredients to prepare a healthy meal, while other products you choose may meet all three criteria.

Some companies use marketing friendly terms in their packaging that may lead you to believe they are sustainable, such as healthy, natural, and even the word sustainable.

To know which are the best options, look for certified labels that ensure the food you are buying is produced with the planet, animals, and workers in mind.

FoodPrint.org publishes a comprehensive list of food labels you can trust.

Common labels include USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, and Certified Naturally Grown.

When you start cooking your own meals at home you can:

• reduce food waste

• eliminate take-out containers that end up in landfills

• have fun while you experiment and get creative with your food!

When you have a proper shopping plan, it will help you:

• buy only the items and quantities you need

• limit the food you throw away

• save money

This short video will give you tips on proper storage in the fridge.

Industrial meat production uses inhumane practices, contributes to pollution of water and soil as well as greenhouse gas emissions.

Some simple ideas for more sustainable meat consumption include:

• Choose one "meatless" day per week

• Skip meat for 1 or more meals daily

• Consider blended meat products such as blended burgers

• Select responsibly-produced meat

Plastic accumulating in our oceans and on land has become a global crisis. It threatens ocean health and is deadly to our marine wildlife. 

• When possible, choose cans and glass over plastic containers.

• Use reusable grocery bags and produce bags.

• Avoid single-use plastics.

Are you ready to take steps to be a more sustainable shopper?