10 Ways to Eat more Environmentally Friendly

1. When you shop, use reusuable bags. These are the shopping totes that are a Friend of the Market perk at the Wild Ramp in Huntington. They are made from 100-pound feedsacks and are very sturdy, able to carry as much as 30 pounds.

2. If you can purchase food in bulk in an unwrapped form, opt for that. Some stores even provide reusable cloth bags near the bins and after bringing your item home, you can transfer it to a container, bringing the small bag back to the store for your next purchase.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~3. Think about where you shop. Chose stores that offer local or organic foods and take steps to reduce their waste, such as having doors on refrigerated sections.

4. Know your farmer. If you purchase local produce you will be able to find out what the farming practice is and will be able to chose to avoid chemicals.

5. If you are buying meat from the local grocery store, you are most likely eating meat produced in a concentrated feeding operation, which is a huge polluter. Better yet, buy your meat from a local source where you can determine what it eats and how it was raised. The flavor will amaze you.

6, Chose meat and dairy where the animals did not receive antibiotics, steroids and hormones as a normal and regular part of their diet. These end up in your body and have effects.

6. Eat in season. Not only is the produce fresher, it will taste better too! By buying locally you are also supporting your neighboring farmers and the local economy.

7. Preserve your seasonal produce. This way you will enjoy the local harvest all year!

8. Join a CSA. Community Supported Agriculture is one way to obtain fresh produce on a weekly basis. It also provides some income directly to the farm prior to purchase that helps with their cash flow. Go to the WVFarm2u website to find a CSA in your area.

9. Know your fish. If purchasing fish from a market, understand that some fish are from species that are being overfished or from contaminated areas. Others, caught in the Pacific, are now showing signs of  radioisotopes from the Fukushima disaster. For local fishing, be aware of the water quality and do not eat fish from streams that are polluted. The West Virginia Trout Fishing website has links to the Department of Natural Resources.

10. Avoid bottled water. While drinking water is encouraged, the plastic bottles are a huge use of resources. Buy a reusable glass or stainless steel bottle. Covers for the bottles can also be purchased that will protect and insulate.