Learn • Anywhere
Rumie logo

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?

Confused Travolta from Pulp Fiction in the grocery store

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

Flaticon Icon

Sustainable Grocery Shopping in Small Steps

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.

Read Food Labels

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 OrganicNon-GMO Project Verified, and Certified Naturally Grown.

Did you know?

The "Dirty Dozen" and "Clean Fifteen" food lists help you know which items are the top produce to buy organic to reduce your exposure to toxic pesticides. Visit www.ewg.org to learn more!

Reduce Food Waste

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!

Young man and woman dancing with cooking utensils in kitchen

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

Animated GIF of a grocery list

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

Quiz

Lisa is shopping for ingredients for a healthy, home-cooked meal. Which of these options would be good for sustainability? Choose all options that apply.

Did you know?

Once you get your food home, items should be stored properly to ensure they stay fresh and reduce spoiled food that ends up in the garbage.

Reduce Meat Consumption

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

Lisa Simpson saying, 'Well I think this family should try more vegetarian meals.'

Some simple ideas for more sustainable meat consumption include:

  • Choose one "meatless" day per weekcalendar icon

  • Skip meat for 1 or more meals daily

weekly meal planner icon

  • Consider blended meat products such as blended burgers

circle graph showing beef burger made with 30% mushroom

  • Select responsibly-produced meat

Farm logo

Did you know?

By skipping meat as little as one day per week, your personal footprint will be reduced by 15 percent. (source: www.foodprint.org)

Consider Packaging

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

Flaticon Icon

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

  • Use reusable grocery bags and produce bags.

  • Avoid single-use plastics.

GIF of reusable containers and zero waste packaging ideas

Quiz

Jack is considering his dinner options on his way home from work. Which of these would be the best choice for sustainability?

Did you know?

Plastic bags in a landfill can take thousands of years to decompose. (source: www.biologicaldiversity.org)

Take Action

Lady racing with shopping cart

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

License:

This Byte has been authored by

VV

Valerie Verastegui

Designing Learning for Learners on the Go!

English

🍪 We use technical and analytics cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. more info