Though we argue every day is Earth Day, here’s your Earth action plan for 2023. This article is part of our Food Systems series. Here we explore sustainable agriculture and food systems and share interviews and intel from aligned innovators and visionaries.
Earth Day is April 22, 2023
Each and every year since 1970, throughout April and on April 22, individuals and organizations come together to take action and raise awareness towards a future with increased sustainability, biodiversity, and care for the Earth.
This year’s theme for Earth Week is “Invest in Our Planet”.
To celebrate Earth Week 2023, we’ve compiled a list of action items you can take to become a more conscious and sustainable eater and consumer.
We detail these action steps across three focus areas including regenerative agriculture, food waste, and healthy eating.
Take these steps today to invest in our planet and help make your world a little greener!
3 specific areas where you can "Invest in Our Planet"
1. Support Regenerative Agriculture.
Regenerative agriculture gets back to the original ‘real’ roots of the organic movement and goes beyond Organic to improve soil health.
Regenerative agriculture seeks to improve soil health by increasing biodiversity, which in turn creates healthier plants and more nutrient-dense produce, which is healthier for humans! Pasture-grazed animals are often a key part of the regenerative and/or biodynamic approach.
Action Steps:
– Learn more about Regenerative Agriculture. One of our go-to sources on regenerative agriculture is the nonprofit Rodale Institute. You can even take a FREE virtual course on “Being a Regenerative Consumer”
– If possible, buy produce from a local farmer who practices both Organic and regenerative agriculture methods.
– When shopping, look for labels that have the Regenerative Organic Certification (ROC) label. If you don’t see ROC, USDA Organic is still the best ‘minimum’ standard. Biodynamic and Demeter certified are also good.
– Support restaurants who source from sustainable local farms (find these in our app!)
2. Reduce Food Waste
Food waste is a massive problem!
It’s estimated that 25-50% of food is wasted every year, not to mention the water, energy, and labor it took to produce that food.
Food waste is something each and every one of us has the power to control.
If only more of us took on a mindset of “zero tolerance” for food waste, we could surely make a difference.
Use your Freezer... often!
Action Steps:
– Be intentional when shopping. Extra thought and a little planning go a long way. Ask yourself: Will I be eating out this week and need to buy less perishable food for home? Do I have a specific purpose for each perishable item I buy? (Sometimes we *think* we’d love to do something with that exotic vegetable, but all-too-often end up tossing it out! Don’t be that guy or gal…)
– Your freezer is your food-waste-fighting friend – use it early and often! Will you eat leftovers? If the answer’s “no”, promptly freeze leftovers to enjoy later. Pretty much everything freezes well.
– Always. Bring home. Leftovers. When eating out, learn to love your leftovers! “Plate waste” in restaurants is a big contributor to food waste, but you can take a stand against it.
Besides, portion sizes at restaurants tend to run beyond what’s optimal and healthy. Remember, you never want to feel “full”. You’re looking for that sweet spot of ~7-8 out of 10, in terms of feeling full.
If you don’t bring along your own takeout container to fill, be sure to ask your server to box your leftovers, so you may enjoy them later.
3. Eat healthy, sustainable real food.
As it turns out, what’s good for the goose is good for the gander. And what’s good for the Earth in terms of soil and plant health is also good for human health! This is true of both individual health – the health of the eater or the farm worker that handles the crops – and of public health – of the communities living nearby the farms that follow regenerative and organic practices.
When you feed your body nourishing real food, you’re supporting a virtuous system. Of course, the inverse is also true – eating ultra-processed and/or conventional commercial foods can have a negative effect on both your body and the environment – and even the community and public health.
Action Steps, What to eat:
(Always get as local and organic/regenerative as possible!)
– Seasonal Vegetables and Leafy greens. Veggies should take up a minimum of ½ your plate, especially for lunch & dinner! You’ll wanna buy and eat these fresh… weekly at least. Use or freeze scraps to make soup!
– Whole grains and legumes. Did you know? When you pair whole grains such as brown rice, millet, or quinoa with legumes like lentils, beans, and peas, you get a nutritious and cost-effective source of protein! Aim for up to 1/4 of your plate to be whole grains and/or legumes, as tolerated. (For even more cost savings, buy dried grains/beans/peas in bulk and rehydrate or cook in small quantities as needed)
– Fish, Meat, Dairy. Choose animal proteins wisely. Fish should be sustainably caught or harvested and as small as possible to minimize mercury & other contamination. Any meat or dairy should be Organic at a minimum – to avoid antibiotics, GMOs, and other chemicals used in conventional feed – and ideally also pasture-raised. These are the high standards we use at Healthy Anywhere to evaluate any fish or meat.
By taking these simple, practical steps both during and after Earth Week 2023, each and every one of us can make a real difference. Not only in terms of the health of our planet but also in terms of our own personal health.
Healthy eating is not only good for you; it’s also good for the environment!
Together, let’s invest in our planet and in individual and public health. Let’s make conscious decisions to live healthier, more sustainable lives and to set a positive example for generations to come.
Happy Earth Week 2023! 🌎
Make every day Earth Day!
We’re constantly looking long and wide, searching for the best sustainable and healthy food nationwide. We’ve spent years curating an exquisite collection just for you.
It’s all accessible through our Healthy Anywhere mobile app that helps you find delicious, healthy food and sustainable food nearby with ease.
If you can’t wait to get your hands on our app, sign up below to stay posted and be first to know when we hit app stores! (We’re also in Beta over here)
Happy Earth Day, Every day!
Hungry for more? Bonus tips for Earth Day...
Additional ideas in how to “Invest in Our Planet” from this year’s Earth Day Toolkit:
- Avoid single-use plastic packaging
- Replace home lightbulbs with LEDs.
- Compost at home
- Plant native species and pollinators at home and around the office to support biodiversity (& make it beautiful!)
Check out the full 18-page doc for yourself for even more ideas.
Discover remarkable healthy, sustainable, and delicious food near you.
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