Thanksgiving is almost here and it’s time to start shopping for the big meal. Below are some helpful tips that will help the planet, support you and your loved ones’ health, and even make your meal taste better!
Buy food that's in season. Eating food that's in season means there is more of it in the supply chain, which means it helps keep the costs down for the buyer. Not only is this healthier for your wallet, but food that is in season is healthier for you too because it is less reliant on chemicals and pesticides.
Buy food that is local. In addition to saving money and reducing pesticides, buying food in season means you can often buy it local and the food doesn’t travel as many miles to get to you. If you live near a farmers market, start your shopping there this year. It is estimated that buying local, seasonal food can save 4-5% emissions.
Buy fresh food…but keep in mind that frozen can be ok too. While freezing food can use a lot of energy, it depends on what kind of food is being frozen. Certain foods can benefit from the process. In addition, frozen food goes to waste less often. A good rule of thumb is to buy fresh if you know you will finish it before it goes bad. If not, consider a frozen option.
Try to purchase food not wrapped in plastic packaging. Try to choose items that aren’t individually wrapped or overly packaged. The US EPA estimates that 45% of landfills are made up of food and packaging/containers, so if you have the option, choose the food that isn’t wrapped in plastic. Food that isn’t wrapped in plastic is usually fresher, which makes your meal taste better as well.
Consider a meatless Thanksgiving. We realize this option isn’t for everyone, but if you are exploring more meatless options, there are some pretty tasty ones on the market these days! And just because turkey is a tradition doesn’t mean you can’t think outside of the box for this meal. Here are six turkey alternatives to consider as well.
Finally, everyone at 7th Generation Advisors is grateful for your support in reading this newsletter and wishes everyone a safe and healthy Thanksgiving!
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