What is our ecological footprint, as humans, as a society, and as individuals? And how do our demands compare to the earth’s resources and its ability to regenerate? One of the easiest ways to reduce your ecological footprint is to change the way you look at, think about and treat the food you eat.
These are some of the questions you can start to ask yourself:
What are all these ingredients and are they healthy for our bodies? Where did this product come from and how far did it have to go to get here? What kind of packaging does it come in and is it biodegradable or recyclable? And then dig a little deeper and question how was this food grown? Was it done in a sustainable way? Did it pollute the groundwater, deplete the soils, cause harm to the humans in contact with it or near it? Ask yourself how are the workers treated who plant the crops, harvest it, and process the product that finally ends up on the shelf. Are they given fare wages? Are they putting themselves at risk handling it? How much energy is used to produce it? How much do we spend on it and if it’s cheap, where are all the hidden costs? Who’s paying for it, the earth, the animals, and/or all the other people behind the curtain?
Then ask yourself is it worth it and what are some alternatives?
Start thinking Globally by eating locally and supporting your local farmers and producers.
Choose to buy fresh foods grown locally and start messing around in the kitchen. You’ll be surprised how delicious it is and how fun it can be.
“We consider ourselves co-producers, not consumers, because by being informed about how our food is produced and actively supporting those who produce it, we become a part of and a partner in the production process.” Taken from the mission of Slow Food International
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