Food is one of the many things consumers think about. In fact, it occupies a large portion of most household budgets. A way to make sure that what you are spending on truly gives your family the nutrition they need is by choosing products coming from sustainable sources. So what qualifies as sustainable food?
There is no hard and fast rule when it comes to defining sustainable food. Generally, it's food that, when produced, does not cause damage to the environment, to people, to animals, and to every other living thing that thrives on this planet. It provides social benefits to the economy and to society as a whole. Organic growers raise sustainable food types in order to provide healthy meals on the tables of every home.
Sustainable Farming
One of the major sources of food is farming. Across the ages, this has sustained the food requirement of the world population. However, by the end of World War II, the population kept on increasing which resulted in the utilization of technological means to increase food production. Although modernization brought positive effects as a whole, it caused topsoil depletion, raised the cost of production, increased groundwater contamination, and caused utilization of more pesticides and other harmful chemicals.
Today, the adverse effects of modernization in agriculture have led the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to promote sustainable farming. These methods reduce pesticide risks and provide healthy and eco friendly food in every home. Buying organic food is one way of supporting sustainable farming.
Sustainable Fishing
Considering that fish is the most sought after source of protein globally, fisheries are now facing problems of overfishing. This overexploitation of fisheries has lead to the collapse of some fish stocks in certain areas in Canada and the US. This is a worldwide problem and without timely intervention, this would soon lead to precarious situations for the fishing industry as a whole.
Fortunately, organizations such as the Monterey Bay Aquarium and the Blue Ocean Institute strive to increase consumer awareness when it comes to buying fish and other sustainable seafood from the market. Recently, legislation required fish vendors to inform consumers about the source of the produce they are selling. The Whole Foods Market also made it their goal to sell only products from fisheries that adhere to sustainable fishing standards.
The need to support sustainable food sources should start in every home. In fact, the Center for Sustainable Urban Development continues to research ways and means to bring sustainability in every community all across the United States. As a consumer, you can do your share by making sure that the food on your table comes from sustainable sources.
