2023-06-11 22:13:13
Each citizen has, through their eating habits and purchasing behavior, a significant impact on the protection of the environment. In 2023, it is urgent to act to reduce its carbon footprint. Every little gesture counts! We can all adopt daily practices that reduce environmental impact. Here are 7 tips to be more eco-responsible!
Eco-responsibility:
It is the set of actions that we take, individually or collectively, for sustainable development. These are green decisions we make today to improve the health of the planet while ensuring safety for future generations. Sustainable food is part of eco-responsibility.
1. Buy food in bulk
More and more shops are specializing in the sale of bulk food, offering a range of dry foods, often organic and local.
The principle is simple; we bring our containers from home and we help ourselves to the food we need, in the desired quantity. This reduces the amount of single-use packaging. In addition, we contribute to the reduction of food waste by obtaining the necessary quantity without being constrained by the purchasing formats offered in pre-packaged products. Finally, it’s a great opportunity to get organic products at a lower cost.
2. Maximize the Freezer
Several local farms are getting into selling frozen food. This alternative to fresh produce is excellent if we want to consume certain fruits and vegetables out of season.
The principle is simple: as soon as the food is picked, it is frozen and packaged. There is therefore no loss of freshness and the nutritional value is retained. No need to buy vegetables from outside, you can eat locally all year round!
It is possible to do the same thing at home; let’s take advantage of the beautiful current season to make reservations for the year. Simply blanch fruits and vegetables and store them in resealable freezer-safe bags. A thrifty practice (fruits and vegetables are less expensive in season) and ideal for local consumption all year round.
3. Recover its scraps to make broths
Although it is advisable to compost all your organic remains in the kitchen, you can also give a second life to surplus vegetables by making homemade broths.
Simply collect any unused vegetable scraps and store them in a freezer-safe bag. Once filled, all that remains is to simmer its contents in water with the herbs of your choice (herbs, spices, etc.) to obtain a tasty, low-salt homemade broth.
The same technique can be followed with poultry; instead of discarding the carcass following cooking a whole bird, it is kept in a freezer-safe bag and when needed, simmered in water for an economical, waste-free broth.
4. Visit local farms in your area
Several farms have kiosks during the summer months that allow you to buy the day’s harvest directly from the farm. If the freshness is certainly there, it is a great opportunity to meet the market gardeners and, above all, to reduce the carbon footprint by buying fruits and vegetables that have not traveled a single kilometre.
U-pick is also possible at many farmers.
To find farms that have a kiosk and/or U-pick options, visit: mangezquebec.com/repertoire.
5. Cultivate a vegetable garden
Growing herbs and some fruits and vegetables in a vegetable garden is gaining popularity, even in urban areas. Several companies offer seeds that are ideal for growing in small spaces, such as a balcony, or even growing in pots.
Novagrow indoor gardens allow you to grow greenery and herbs with ease, even in a small apartment (novagrow.io).
6. Prepare your meals in advance
The enthusiasm for meal prep is always present. By planning the menus for the week and preparing everything in advance, we save money and reduce our environmental footprint by making only one trip to the grocery store.
It is also a way to reduce waste by maximizing the use of fresh products instead of seeing them wither, for lack of time to cook them. By preparing raw vegetables and fruits in advance, they will be easier to eat and they are less likely to be wasted.
7. Get organic products
Eating products from organic farming, especially if they are grown or produced in Quebec, is certainly part of eco-responsible practices.
Organic standards prohibit synthetic chemical fertilizers and pesticides, GMOs, synthetic dyes and preservatives, antibiotics for animal care (except as a last resort) and growth promoters to decrease rearing time.
At the grocery store, it is easy to spot organic products because they display the logo of a certification body recognized by the Council for Reserved Designations and Enhanced Terms. The Aliments du Québec bio designation certifies that the product is both organic and local.
The delivery of baskets of seasonal and organic fruits and vegetables helps support farmers while enjoying the freshness of the products.
Some references :
Thanks to Chani Davidson, intern in dietary techniques at Collège de Maisonneuve for her collaboration on this article.
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#ways #ecoresponsible