Food

Sustainable living includes eating sustainably grown or manufactured food. Industrial food production not only uses a lot of energy unnecessarily, but most agricultural systems use environmentally damaging pesticides and fertilizers. In addition, agricultural methods are often employed that destroy the local environment through excess tilling and heavy irrigation. In many instances, only one crop is grown, which further damages the soil and ecosystem, requiring artificial nutrient replenishment. All of these factors lead to such environmental damage as soil erosion, soil degradation, shrinking water tables, and chemical runoff. This environmental damage, in turn, leads to a disrupted ecosystem and loss of biodiversity.

Long-distance food distribution and transportation requires even further energy to be expended. Exhausts from motorized vehicles lead to damaging carbon emissions and the extensive use of non-renewable fuels.

Local Food Production

Although the most sustainable food production is that done on-premises, very few people have enough land and resources to accomplish the task alone. Growing all of the fruits, vegetables, and grains and raising the livestock to accommodate a wholesome, nutritious diet is next to impossible for most people. The next best thing is buying local foods from organic and sustainable farms. Buying local foods drastically reduces the carbon footprint created through transportation and distribution. In general, local small-scale farms use more sustainable food production methods because their client-base is seeking quality over quantity. In addition, there is no carbon footprint and waste from packaging materials.

Eating only locally produced food products can be a difficult adjustment for some people because it means having a diet based on seasonal foods. It also creates a need to buy excess foods and preserve them for the off-season. Sustainable food production limits the diet because it eliminates the energy-intensive methods required to grow non-seasonal foods in greenhouse environments.

In many areas, local community organizations exist to help promote localised food production. Local markets are set up and information is exchanged about where different foods can be purchased or traded. Some local organizations schedule weekly pickups of various foods from nearby farms.

Those who practice sustainable living also argue that locally produced foods are more nutritious than mass-produced foods. This is because more care is taken to grow them organically and there is a larger focus on quality.

Meat

Many people who practice sustainable living are vegetarians or vegans. Others eat meat but in strictly limited quantities. Raising livestock is very energy-intensive and can deplete natural resources quickly. Buying locally raised organic and free range meat is a definite possibility, but this meat can be expensive, so it is limited out of financial necessity. Putting meat on the table two or three times per week is plenty for most sustainable living enthusiasts. This limit makes the meal more special and allows respect for the lives of animals to grow. In contrast, regular people tend to eat meat only out of habit with no thought as to what chemicals the animals ingest during life, how inhumanely they are slaughtered, or how unsanitary the production methods are.

Organic Fruits and Vegetables

Eating only organic fruits and vegetables is a very important aspect of sustainable living. Luckily, each year, the scope of organic foods is growing. Ecological farming completely reduces the carbon footprint and ecological damage of agriculture when used in conjunction with such practices as regular crop rotation, composting, natural fertilizers, and biologic pest control methods.

Home Gardens

Of course, the best way to make sure fruits and vegetables are produced in line with sustainable food production methods is to grow them on the property where they are to be eaten. Modern gardening techniques have evolved to where this is possible even in highly urban settings. Urban gardens, perhaps in limited scope, can be setup on any available land not being put to good use. In places where no land is available, rooftops can be converted into gardens.

Preservation

Food preservation is a necessity in leading a sustainable life. Any method of preservation is acceptable, but drying, canning, and bottling is preferred because it doesn’t take as much energy as freezing and refrigerating.