Written By: Grace Wang
We hear so much about being sustainable and eco-friendly, but what does it truly mean regarding food and consumption? Whether you’re having trouble deciding which brand to choose or want to limit your spending, it’s always good to keep sustainability on your checklist. In other words, it’s important to keep an open mind while doing your regular grocery sweep—just because you have grown accustomed to buying something doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best choice. In this article, I’ll cover everything you need to know when shopping with an open mind!
It doesn’t matter whether you’re on a tight budget—keeping costs low when shopping for organic foods is always possible. Indeed, organics are typically more expensive, and this is because lots of processed foods—such as cereals and chips—will often label themselves as "thorough," brandishing fictitious symbols and slang on their boxes to deceive the consumers, even when they are not. This lets consumers think they are in for double benefits, whereas realistically, the negative impact is much harsher upon their lives. True, it is difficult to stay completely away from these foods (after all, they are a delicious treat for once in a while), but we want to stay organic for most of our grocery shopping.
Let’s start with the concept of buying organic selectively. Organic foods, as mentioned earlier, are quite expensive—it’s difficult to stay strictly organic, even if you are not on a budget. Instead, select certain products to buy organically. Specifically, you should select produce items with higher pesticide residues and greater risk factors. For instance, strawberries, spinach, and apples have higher pesticide residues, so it’s wise to purchase them organically. On the other hand, foods like avocados and sweet corn can be bought conventionally, as the health factor is not much different when purchasing organically. For protein, it is usual to purchase animal products organically—dairy, eggs, meat, etc. These products not only pose a health hazard to consumers when farmed conventionally, but they also draw great environmental risks and hazards. Thus, you should prioritize buying animal products organically (for both your health and the environment’s!)
When shopping on a budget, you should make sure you are buying seasonally and locally. Produce in season (e.g., blueberries in the summer) is so much more abundant and affordable. The next time you need groceries, head down to the nearest farmer’s market or local farm—although they are smaller businesses when in season they can be quite affordable.
Of course, the most important note is to buy in bulk. Instead of buying a small pound of organic rice every week, buy a 5-pound bag of rice—that'll last you much longer; plus, it’s a whole lot cheaper! Not only does buying in bulk reduce prices, but it also promotes sustainability and eliminates packaging waste.
Last but not least, look for store brands. If you’re only able to shop at a bigger supermarket (where most foods are packaged and processed), chances are there will be a wide range of brands. Most supermarkets have their own organic or sustainably sourced brands that are cheaper than other premium organic brands, so make sure to look out for the various brands! Try to spend your time when grocery shopping—remember, it’s not a race. It’s the choices we make that help us make ourselves better people and the world a better place.
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