Eat More Plants

The Problem:

On average, it takes 460 gallons of water to produce a quarter-pound beef burger. This includes water used for growing the animal's food, providing drinking water, and processing the meat! Producing animal products also requires deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.

The Solution:

Go for plant-based meals! Try having meals without meat sometimes. If everyone eats a bit less meat, it can really help cut down on water usage and energy emissions. Some great options to try include legumes (beans, lentils, or chickpeas), tofu, mushrooms, or quinoa!

Support Local Farmers

The Problem:

Food grown and transported from far away contributes to environmental issues due to the extensive use of resources in transportation, resulting in increased carbon emissions, and it can also lead to a loss of freshness and nutritional value.

The solution:

• Choose regional produce! Look out for regionally grown foods to support farmers, reduce the environmental impact of transportation, and ensure fresher and more nutritious food.

• Seasonal eating: Align your diet with the seasons, as locally grown, seasonal produce is often more abundant, requires fewer resources to grow, and is more environmentally friendly.

• Support farmers' markets and CSA’s: Purchase food from farmers' markets where local producers sell their goods directly. This not only supports local economies but also helps reduce the carbon footprint from long-distance transportation. Many farmers markets also accept SNAP/EBT benefits!

Compost

The Problem:

Food waste is a big problem here in the United States. Most of our food is thrown away, and ends up in landfills. When food breaks down in a landfill, it releases harmful greenhouse gases, and it represents a waste of valuable resources, including water, energy, and labor.

The Solution:

• Reduce food waste at home! Plan meals in advance, store food properly, and be mindful of expiration dates to minimize the amount of food thrown away.

• Composting: Composting kitchen scraps, such as fruit and vegetable peels, coffee grounds, and eggshells, can turn waste into nutrient-rich compost for gardens, reducing food waste and creating an important natural resource. - soil! Find information about composting in your state here!

• Support food recovery projects: Contribute to or volunteer with local organizations that collect surplus food and distribute it to those in need, preventing edible food from ending up in landfills. Check out Food Recovery Network to find or start a program in your community!