Green Tip of the Month: Buy Locally Grown Food
Reduce the impact
Food grown locally has a significantly smaller environmental impact than food that has traveled hundreds or thousands of miles to be sold. Transportation of agricultural products contributes to increased carbon emissions and other pollution. It also depletes fossil fuels and other resources, like water.
Rockefeller's food service provider, Compass Group/Restaurant Associates, is committed to reducing its carbon footprint by purchasing fruits and vegetables from vendors that promote and feature local produce.
Down on the Farm
Farmers' markets are a great resource for locally produced food, which is often also grown organically. Another way to purchase locally grown organic items is to join a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). In addition to fresh produce, some CSAs provide herbs, flowers, meat, eggs and baked goods, all from their own local farm. Check out localharvest.org to find a farmers' market or CSA in your area.
Also, find out which fruits and vegetables have the highest levels of pesticides by visiting foodnews.org.
Don't forget to bring your own reusable bag to the farmers' market! Use it in place of a disposable plastic bag and cut down on waste even more.
Did You Know?
Produce at a farmers' market has usually been picked within the last 24 hours, making it much fresher, more flavorful and more nutritious than supermarket produce picked weeks or even months before.