Think seasonally and sustainably

Suggested Practices and Examples for Implementation:

Begin exploring the role of food and sustainable land tenure within your faith tradition. Understanding how these values connect to the values of your faith will help your community invest in actions that support a healthier food system.
Learn what produce is in season at different times during the year, and have meals that include more seasonal fruits and vegetables to decrease demands on producing and transporting produce.
Look for ethically sourced and/or organic foods. Labels to look for at the grocery store include USDA Organic, Certified Naturally Grown, Animal Welfare Approved, & American Humane Certified.
- It is important to note that it is very expensive for farms to receive the USDA Organic labeling. For this reason, many small farms opt for other methods of communicating their practices to their customers. “Certified Naturally Grown” is one alternative labeling that is more affordable and holds the same organic standards as USDA Organic.
- For products produced locally, the best practice to understand farming practices and animal welfare standards is getting to know your local farmers, visiting their farms, and becoming educated on their methods.
When purchasing meat and other animal products, strive to buy from farmers who meet the highest standards for humane animal treatment. If they’re local, even better!
Decrease your meat consumption to lower your carbon footprint and prioritize ethically raised and sourced meat.