4 practical tips for eating more sustainably

Making sustainable eating more accessible

More than 60 per cent of the food waste Canadians generate is food that could have been eaten, according to a 2019 report by Value Chain Management International. Eating more sustainably can help reduce food waste and its associated environmental impacts, but it can be difficult to know where to start.

1. Meal planning and CSAs

One of the simplest ways to implement sustainable eating habits is to meal plan and locate a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program. Meal planning helps reduce food waste by ensuring that you only buy the food you need, and CSAs provide a way to get fresh, local produce directly from farmers.

2. Eating less meat and more plant-based foods

Raising animals for food causes 14.5 per cent of global greenhouse emissions, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Eating less meat and more plant-based foods can help reduce your environmental impact. There are many delicious and healthy plant-based recipes available online and in cookbooks.

3. Composting food scraps

Composting food scraps is a great way to reduce waste and improve your soil health. You can start a compost bin in your backyard or use a composting service.

4. Shopping at farmers markets and local grocery stores

Shopping at farmers markets and local grocery stores helps support local farmers and businesses, and it can also help you find more sustainable food options. Farmers markets often have a wider variety of fresh produce than grocery stores, and they can provide information about how the food was grown.