When my mom sees the things I buy from the grocery store, she often shakes her head. I’m definitely someone who loves a good deal (I get that from her), but I’m willing to pay more for organic produce, I’ll go out of my way to shop at a farmer’s market versus the store, and I really like knowing where my food is coming from. I hosted Thanksgiving at our house last year, so I needed to get a turkey. For me, it was important to know that the turkey had a good life and wasn’t pumped full of preservatives before it reached my door. So I was willing (and lucky that I was financially able) to get a free-range turkey from a farm in our area. It probably cost me four times what I would have paid in the store, but made me feel a lot better about serving it in my home. My mom thought that paying so much for a turkey was the craziest thing in the world. Everyone is different, so obviously what is important to me isn’t necessarily important to everyone else- and that’s okay. New research says that shoppers in their 20’s and 30’s are willing to pay more for products with a low carbon footprint, versus those in their 40’s and 50’s. A food’s carbon footprint is measured in the amount of greenhouse gases emitted along the food’s life cycle- from manufacturing (or growing) to your table. The more steps involved (the further the food travels, the more it’s processed), the larger the footprint. “Some 58 percent of 18-to-24-year-olds are prepared to pay more for food and beverages with a low carbon footprint, while 49 percent of 25-to-34-year-olds also said they would be happy to pay more. As age increases, a person’s willingness to pay extra to guarantee the eco credentials of their food drops – only 35 percent of 35-to-44-year-olds and 35 percent of 45-to-54-year-olds express willingness to pay a premium, while just 31 percent of over-55s said yes.” “The research also revealed that almost 80 percent of shoppers want to see more supermarkets and food producers commit to tackling climate change, while nearly 70 percent of total respondents would like to see the entire food supply chain, including farmers and growers, manufacturers and supermarkets, put more effort as an industry into combating climate change and protecting the earth’s natural resources.” But does this mean they are willing to pay more for it? Not necessarily. I understand that I have the luxury (that not everyone has) to make choices when it comes to food for me and my family. I’m willing to pay more for higher quality food and cut back on expenses in other areas of my life because I have that flexibility, and because it’s important to me. Whether you’re willing/able to pay more or not, I think it’s important to be informed about where your food is coming from. Learn how you can Vote With Your Fork, and why Farmer’s Markets can be an easy way to make eco-friendly food choices. What do you think? Are you willing to pay more for eco-friendly food?
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"For me, it was important to know that the turkey had a good life and wasn’t pumped full of preservatives" LOL! ROTFL! Its good life ended when its head was cut off, cooked and served.
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There are a variety of methods to preserve your crops too that will make them last through the winter. And while not "fresh" in January they are still better for us and cheaper to grow our own. We can, freeze and dry each Fall. You don't need a large plot of land, if you live in an urban area learn to "pot farm" as we call it. We have pots that contain cherry tomatoes and I tossed in marigold seeds for color! If you WANT to eat healthier you can...it takes commitment and it takes work.
Approach your city council. The City generally owns quite a bit of undeveloped/unused land within the city center. Start a "community" garden, teach children to grow their own food. It's great exercise, wonderful to form community spirit, strengthens communities/neighborhoods, gives the kids something to do during the Summer months etc.....You CAN eat better, eat healthy if you want to...AND by doing so you are decreasing your own "carbon footprint". Report
I do try to buy "free trade" foods. I do want to make sure farmers across the globe are being properly paid for their produce.
I suppose the question is what distinguishes eco-friendly from organic. Isn't organic eco friendly ? Of course, I did get into a lively discussion with a friend over industrial organic corporations like Earthbound Foods. He says that people should be buying more local produce instead of products like Earthbound. He says that the carbon footprint produced by the company cancels out the organic products they produce.
I've told him that the industrial organic farms have tens of thousands of acres of land that are not treated with chemicals or pesticides. Also, small local sustainable farms can't feed every single person out there. That's why we need large scale organic operations. The more farms that go organic will eventually cause the prices of organic produce to go down. It's a question of supply and demand. There is more demand so the industry will respond with the supply.
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"We care greatly we see more mind polution than carbon footprint pollution and we see much more electronic waste and throw aways in our younger generations than we ever could have imagined."
So, So True. I am aware and in awe of the legacy of elders in my community who work so hard to explain the cycle of consumerism to younger generations. Report
I avoid super markets. I make my dollar vote for the world I want my child to grow up in; one aligned with a environmentally sustainable, socially just world. Report
However, I know a lot of people think I'm nuts, that I am wasting my money or getting conned. Maybe.
In general I think if more people MADE their meals as opposed to buying pre-made box meals or eating out they would go a long way to reaching their health goals. Report
We don't frequent farmer's markets, in part because there isn't really one close. I was also somewhat disappointed when during one of our rare trips to the farmer's market a couple of years ago I saw a local farmer selling tomatoes in May. I asked where they came from (since in Illinois, tomatoes aren't ripe until July or August), and was told that they came from Texas, and were not, in fact, local at all. I will not pay more for organic products in the grocery store, but I will buy organic if the price is comparable or if the organic product is clearly healthier than the closest conventional counterpart (i.e. 100% fruit vs. fruit juice, HFCS, and gelatin in my son's fruit snacks). Report
I think it's all just hype to make more money. If it was really locally grown and/or has a low carbon footprint, it should be CHEAPER. I'm a business major and very passionate about how businesses run & make money (which probably adds to my cynicism). All that is to say is that common business sense would say these foods should cost less, not more. I can't help but wonder. Report
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Currently out of work 2 years, on food stamps, but still I shop at farmers market in season (they give seniors free 'bucks' & they double the tokens we can buy with SNAP card) & look to buy organic when I can. Nothin' better than pure water & food grown in the healthiest way possible. Report
I'm interested in the article's stats on the age break-down, because, based on what I see my college students consuming, 'eco-friendly' are not words in their nutritional vocab (and we live in one of the most ag. and eco-ag. friendly parts of the country). Report
By the way, Linda Watson's ::Wildly Affordable Organic:: demonstrates that it is possible to eat a whole foods diet on ~$3/day/person and an entirely organic diet for ~$5 -- and that's without skimping on calories. Report
Why? In a supermarket, if I saw an item of food labeled "eco-friendly", I would see it as a marketing ploy with only a bare minimum of effort made to qualify for the label.
The way I am most likely to have eco-friendly food is living in a place where I can raise my own food - which is less expensive rather than more. Report
One thing I think is problematic for many people about choosing food that is carbon-footprint-friendly, is convenience. The "organic" produce at the chain grocery stores tastes awful compared to farmer's market produce, but who wants to run (or drive!) all around town to pick up all your groceries?
I feel very grateful for coming from a community that cares about reducing environmental damage. I doubt it would be as high of a priority for me, if I hadn't seen my family and neighbors ride their bikes to work, recycle, buy less and reuse more, etc. Report
If you really want organic food and can't grow it yourself, your best bet will be the local farmer's market. But even they can say they're organic and still use just as many chemicals as those who don't call themselves that. Especially since they can tell you pretty much whatever they want without regulation.
The only 100% sure way to know your food is organic, free-range, etc. is to grow/raise it yourself, shoot it yourself, and prepare it yourself. I live in an apartment and can't do that, and since I can't be guaranteed otherwise, I'm NOT willing to pay more for something that can't actually be proven hasn't been in some sort of contact with chemicals. Report