Three Tips for Eco-Friendly Living
Interested in eco-friendly living? That’s good news for our planet, and Planted Places is here to help you live more sustainably.
We’ve got three super easy ways to make a big impact—simply by switching up the way you shop! Yep, living more sustainably really can be that easy!
So, let’s dive in and talk about this trio of simple eco-friendly living tips.
1. Commit to Eating More Seasonally
One of the best things that you can do is to eat more seasonally. What’s seasonal eating? It’s being aware and observant of the foods that are naturally available in your area during each season and choosing to eat them over other foods. Why does this make a difference?
Seasonal eating means that you will be eating more food that is grown, raised or produced closer to where you live. By reducing the miles your food has to travel, you’ll help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. (Just think about the journey that a banana from Belize has to travel to get into your shopping cart!)
By eating seasonally, you’ll also be able to capitalize on the flavors and nutrients of the season. Fruits and vegetables picked at their peak of ripeness are more nutritious.
2. Support Local Growers
Another amazing thing you can do is support your local farmers, growers, gardeners, ranchers, and producers. Buying directly can make a huge impact!
Think it’s too expensive to shop at the farmer’s market or roadside stand? Think instead about exactly what you are paying for. Not only are you getting the freshest, healthiest foods, but you are also supporting a lot of other important things!
Supporting local food production increases the demand for it. This not only keeps money in your own community (rather than in the hands of large corporations), but it also helps protect farmlands, community gardens, and green spaces. Plus, the demand can help push local municipalities to create more food sovereignty laws, create SNAP programs for fresh foods, increase municipal funding for farmer’s markets and help everyone have better access to healthy foods regardless of their socioeconomic status. Buying locally from small producers also encourages better livelihoods for farmworkers!
3. Grow Your Own for Eco-Friendly Living
If you can, grow your own food whenever possible! Freshly harvested food that’s grown in healthy living soil is the most nutrient-packed food that you can eat! Plus, growing your own food is a great way to reduce the carbon footprint of your food and also greatly reduce food and packaging waste. Beyond that, it’s also one of the best ways to better understand food and nutrition. Connecting with the entire process of growing your food is one of the most eye-opening activities that you can do to better understand yourself, your body, and your environment.
Let Planted Places help you get started on your growing journey! We take the guesswork out of it by delivering all the supplies and seedlings that you need. Plus, we offer ongoing support so that you can learn how to grow even more things!