There are some purchases that are necessary. And unless you're self-sufficient and grow everything you need to eat, food's one of them. But when it comes to shopping for food it's possible to do so in a responsible and environmentally friendly way that shouldn't need too much organization or pre-planning.

Wherever possible, buy local and seasonal produce. This means that the food will not have had to travel too far to reach you, thus making its carbon footprint that bit smaller. Local produce generally uses minimal packaging, and is fresher. Farmers' markets are a good source of local produce. And if you buy organic then the food will taste better as it won't contain any additives such as hydrogenated fat or monosodium glutamate, nor will it have been exposed to pesticides in the way non-organic produce is. Organic farming also means less greenhouse gasses, making it much kinder to the environment.

If you regularly eat seafood, then choose wisely. Although the American Heath Association recommends eating fish twice a week as part of a healthy diet, 70 per cent of the world's fisheries are fully fished or over-fished. That doesn't mean that you have to limit your intake, but if you want to include fish in your diet without contributing to any negative environmental effects then choose those that come from sustainable fishing practices. While sardines, farmed oysters, farmed rainbow trout, and crab are included in the "sustainability list" of seafood, bluefin tuna, Atlantic cod, and Atlantic sea scallops are among the seafood that should be avoided.

As well as the actual produce you buy, it's important when shopping green to pay attention to the packaging. An estimated 500 billion to one trillion plastic bags are consumed worldwide each year! Some supermarket food items are ridiculously packaged. Keep your packaging to a minimum. Fruit and vegetables, for example, don't need to be placed in plastic bags. Most fruit and vegetables are washed or peeled before eating, and some have their very own convenient protective wrapping-bananas, for instance.

Take your own carrier bags to the store. A re-usable cloth bag is best, but if don't have one then use the plastic bags you picked up on your last shopping trip-and keep them for your next visit. Plastic bags are not biodegradable and can end up in the ocean harming marine life. Although paper bags are biodegradable, most are manufactured from virgin, non-recycled paper, as its long fibers are needed to make the bags strong enough for shopping loads.

Related Resources

Related Articles Environmental Considerations with Food Bad Chemistry Going Green for Meals See All Related Articles

Related Eco Categories Science & Technology Transportation & Travel How to Guides Top 10s

Topics Health Gadgets & Products Home Saving Money Food

Tip of the Day Shade Your Air Conditioning Unit Ride Public Transit See All Tips

Glossary Life cycle Environmental footprint Plywood National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) Ecological footprint Full Glossary

Site Resources Directory Answers Quizzes