{"id":610,"date":"2023-02-06T22:42:29","date_gmt":"2023-02-06T22:42:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.principia.edu\/sites\/sustainablefood\/?p=610"},"modified":"2023-02-13T21:33:32","modified_gmt":"2023-02-13T21:33:32","slug":"what-does-it-means-to-eat-sustainably","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/content.principia.edu\/sites\/sustainablefood\/2023\/02\/06\/what-does-it-means-to-eat-sustainably\/","title":{"rendered":"What Does It Means To Eat Sustainably?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><em>Shane Witters Hicks | Program Officer<br>Principia Center for Sustainability | Feb 6, 2023<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/content.principia.edu\/sites\/sustainablefood\/files\/2023\/02\/17C034B5-F4AB-4EF3-AF9B-80783D079D05-scaled.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/content.principia.edu\/sites\/sustainablefood\/files\/2023\/02\/17C034B5-F4AB-4EF3-AF9B-80783D079D05-815x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-612\" width=\"389\" height=\"488\" srcset=\"https:\/\/content.principia.edu\/sites\/sustainablefood\/files\/2023\/02\/17C034B5-F4AB-4EF3-AF9B-80783D079D05-815x1024.jpg 815w, https:\/\/content.principia.edu\/sites\/sustainablefood\/files\/2023\/02\/17C034B5-F4AB-4EF3-AF9B-80783D079D05-239x300.jpg 239w, https:\/\/content.principia.edu\/sites\/sustainablefood\/files\/2023\/02\/17C034B5-F4AB-4EF3-AF9B-80783D079D05-768x965.jpg 768w, https:\/\/content.principia.edu\/sites\/sustainablefood\/files\/2023\/02\/17C034B5-F4AB-4EF3-AF9B-80783D079D05-1223x1536.jpg 1223w, https:\/\/content.principia.edu\/sites\/sustainablefood\/files\/2023\/02\/17C034B5-F4AB-4EF3-AF9B-80783D079D05-1631x2048.jpg 1631w, https:\/\/content.principia.edu\/sites\/sustainablefood\/files\/2023\/02\/17C034B5-F4AB-4EF3-AF9B-80783D079D05-scaled.jpg 2038w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 389px) 100vw, 389px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Cauliflower steak with roasted tempeh and baby corn<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>In an age where \u201csustainable\u201d is a word used to describe an increasingly diverse group of foods, it can be hard for people to decide what to eat to get the best eco-bang for their buck. And with such an expansive culinary scene \u2013 where diners can devour a plant-based burger, slurp a post-workout cricket-protein shake, and enjoy a <a href=\"https:\/\/meati.com\/what-is-meati\/\">regenerative mycelium \u201csteak\u201d<\/a> all in one day, yet still be told off by foodie friends for drinking that resource-intensive almond milk \u2013 one can hardly be blamed for wondering, \u201cwhat the heck is a \u2018sustainable\u2019 food, anyway?\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the points of confusion is the fact that \u201csustainability\u201d is an unregulated and multi-disciplinary term. There\u2019s no legal definition of sustainable food, but a working definition developed by the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sustainweb.org\/sustainablefood\/what_is_sustainable_food\/\">Alliance for Better Food and Farming<\/a> describes it as food that is produced, processed, distributed and disposed of in ways that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Contribute to thriving local economies and sustainable livelihoods, including in producer countries;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Protect the diversity of both plants and animals and the welfare of farmed and wild species;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Avoid damaging or wasting natural resources or contributing to climate change; and<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Provide social benefits, such as good quality food, safe and healthy products, and educational opportunities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/content.principia.edu\/sites\/sustainablefood\/files\/2023\/02\/IMG_9042-scaled.jpeg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/content.principia.edu\/sites\/sustainablefood\/files\/2023\/02\/IMG_9042-1024x966.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-613\" width=\"497\" height=\"468\" srcset=\"https:\/\/content.principia.edu\/sites\/sustainablefood\/files\/2023\/02\/IMG_9042-1024x966.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/content.principia.edu\/sites\/sustainablefood\/files\/2023\/02\/IMG_9042-300x283.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/content.principia.edu\/sites\/sustainablefood\/files\/2023\/02\/IMG_9042-768x724.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/content.principia.edu\/sites\/sustainablefood\/files\/2023\/02\/IMG_9042-1536x1449.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/content.principia.edu\/sites\/sustainablefood\/files\/2023\/02\/IMG_9042-2048x1932.jpeg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 497px) 100vw, 497px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s break that down: an example of the first point could be coffee beans that are sourced from farms using fair labor practices. Peet\u2019s Coffee, for example, is a \u201c100% responsibly sourced\u201d roaster and retailer after a<a href=\"https:\/\/www.foxbusiness.com\/lifestyle\/peets-coffee-sustainable-brand-100-responsibly-sourced-coffee\"> years-long road to improve its sustainability metrics<\/a> (which included more than 20,000 annual sustainability audits). It\u2019s because of companies like this that farmers using honest labor practices are able to grow and boost their local economies by providing fair wages to workers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>An example of the second point might be buying seafood raised in closed-loop farms, whose populations are carefully monitored and maintained. For example, <a href=\"https:\/\/phys.org\/news\/2018-05-loop-sustainable-aquaculture.html\">a Sacramento sturgeon farm simultaneously produces outstanding caviar and uses the waste to grow butter lettuce<\/a>. In contrast, wild-caught bluefin tuna and other endangered species of fish are being brought to the edge of extinction through overfishing despite international regulations.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/content.principia.edu\/sites\/sustainablefood\/files\/2023\/02\/olio_group-scaled.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/content.principia.edu\/sites\/sustainablefood\/files\/2023\/02\/olio_group-1024x552.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-614\" width=\"568\" height=\"305\" srcset=\"https:\/\/content.principia.edu\/sites\/sustainablefood\/files\/2023\/02\/olio_group-1024x552.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/content.principia.edu\/sites\/sustainablefood\/files\/2023\/02\/olio_group-300x162.jpg 300w, https:\/\/content.principia.edu\/sites\/sustainablefood\/files\/2023\/02\/olio_group-768x414.jpg 768w, https:\/\/content.principia.edu\/sites\/sustainablefood\/files\/2023\/02\/olio_group-1536x828.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/content.principia.edu\/sites\/sustainablefood\/files\/2023\/02\/olio_group-2048x1105.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 568px) 100vw, 568px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>When we consider the \u201cdamaging or wasting [of] natural resources\u201d (in this case the rainforest) it\u2019s impossible to overlook the effects of palm oil plantations. Production of palm oil on drainage-based peat swamp in Southeast Asia accounts for between 0.44% and 0.74% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41467-020-14298-w?utm_medium=affiliate&amp;utm_source=commission_junction&amp;utm_campaign=CONR_PF018_ECOM_GL_PHSS_ALWYS_DEEPLINK&amp;utm_content=textlink&amp;utm_term=PID100060515&amp;CJEVENT=e594fbd4a34411ed809900a60a82b82a\">one study<\/a>. Choosing a \u201cmore sustainable\u201d cooking oil isn\u2019t a clear-cut decision because global demand for these oils is staggering. But data suggests that rapeseed oil (more widely known as canola oil) is a better option than most because it <a href=\"https:\/\/www.popsci.com\/environment\/vegetable-oil-sustainability\/\">results in the least GHG emissions per liter<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Finally, by purchasing from companies that prioritize social welfare and\/or put profits towards charitable and educational causes, we contribute to sustainable communities by \u201cvoting\u201d with our dollars. One such company is Dave\u2019s Killer Bread, which created a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.daveskillerbread.com\/secondchances\">Second Chance Project<\/a> and claims a third of its workforce are ex-convicts. Similarly, Greyston Bakery \u2013 through its unique, no-resume-required <a href=\"https:\/\/shop.greyston.org\/pages\/about-greyston\">Open Hiring policy<\/a> \u2013 provides employment opportunities to those who have experienced barriers to employment. By purchasing organic produce (especially items from the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ewg.org\/foodnews\/dirty-dozen.php\">Environmental Working Group\u2019s \u201cdirty dozen\u201d list<\/a>), shoppers can reduce health hazards and support farming free of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Is it practical to only source foods that meet all four criteria of a sustainable food? Maybe not. Is it cheap to only eat organic, locally sourced foods from companies that pay fair wages? Probably not. But perhaps it isn\u2019t too large of an ask for the average consumer to hit one criteria at a time. Small steps lead to big changes. Steps like incorporating a \u201cmeatless Monday\u201d into your week, buying a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.msc.org\/\">Marine Stewardship Council<\/a>-certified tilapia instead of the cheapest variety once in a while, or choosing free-range eggs rather than those produced in cage-ridden factory farms. Choices like these not only demonstrate to suppliers that we care about what we eat \u2013 they directly reduce environmental degradation and suffering on a global level.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/content.principia.edu\/sites\/sustainablefood\/files\/2023\/02\/ECEB5FFF-3B5A-418A-A496-29D53B821423-scaled.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/content.principia.edu\/sites\/sustainablefood\/files\/2023\/02\/ECEB5FFF-3B5A-418A-A496-29D53B821423-822x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-615\" width=\"438\" height=\"545\" srcset=\"https:\/\/content.principia.edu\/sites\/sustainablefood\/files\/2023\/02\/ECEB5FFF-3B5A-418A-A496-29D53B821423-822x1024.jpg 822w, https:\/\/content.principia.edu\/sites\/sustainablefood\/files\/2023\/02\/ECEB5FFF-3B5A-418A-A496-29D53B821423-241x300.jpg 241w, https:\/\/content.principia.edu\/sites\/sustainablefood\/files\/2023\/02\/ECEB5FFF-3B5A-418A-A496-29D53B821423-768x956.jpg 768w, https:\/\/content.principia.edu\/sites\/sustainablefood\/files\/2023\/02\/ECEB5FFF-3B5A-418A-A496-29D53B821423-1233x1536.jpg 1233w, https:\/\/content.principia.edu\/sites\/sustainablefood\/files\/2023\/02\/ECEB5FFF-3B5A-418A-A496-29D53B821423-1644x2048.jpg 1644w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 438px) 100vw, 438px\" \/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Pastina in Brodo with cherry tomatoes, zucchini, and basil<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Keep it simple. Everyone could benefit from following the practical advice given by journalist and author <a href=\"https:\/\/michaelpollan.com\/reviews\/how-to-eat\/\">Michael Pollen<\/a>, who says, \u201cEat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.\u201d There are few \u201csilver bullet\u201d solutions in life, but incorporating more plants into your diet may be one of them. Animal agriculture is responsible for <a href=\"https:\/\/link.springer.com\/article\/10.1007\/s10584-014-1169-1\">a huge portion of GHG emissions<\/a>. A more plant-forward diet has been <a href=\"https:\/\/www.theatlantic.com\/health\/archive\/2012\/01\/the-evidence-for-a-vegan-diet\/251498\/\">shown to improve health<\/a>, sometimes curing chronic diseases like diabetes. And have you ever seen headlines whistleblowing the fact that billions of animals are kept in inhospitable conditions to sustain the consumption of meat, dairy, and eggs? Eating more plants can fix that, too. Indeed, changing global eating habits can simultaneously right several wrongs, so if you can only focus on one thing, eat more plants!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Shane Witters Hicks | Program OfficerPrincipia Center for Sustainability | Feb 6, 2023 In an age where \u201csustainable\u201d is a word used to describe an increasingly diverse group of foods, it can be hard for people to decide what to eat to get the best eco-bang for their buck. And with such an expansive culinary &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/content.principia.edu\/sites\/sustainablefood\/2023\/02\/06\/what-does-it-means-to-eat-sustainably\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">What Does It Means To Eat Sustainably?<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":79,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-610","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-plant-forward"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/content.principia.edu\/sites\/sustainablefood\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/610","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/content.principia.edu\/sites\/sustainablefood\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/content.principia.edu\/sites\/sustainablefood\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/content.principia.edu\/sites\/sustainablefood\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/79"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/content.principia.edu\/sites\/sustainablefood\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=610"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/content.principia.edu\/sites\/sustainablefood\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/610\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":643,"href":"https:\/\/content.principia.edu\/sites\/sustainablefood\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/610\/revisions\/643"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/content.principia.edu\/sites\/sustainablefood\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=610"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/content.principia.edu\/sites\/sustainablefood\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=610"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/content.principia.edu\/sites\/sustainablefood\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=610"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}