cheap eats eating sustainably: food for the soul without breaking the bank
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CHEAP EAT
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OUR AGENDA
Statement of Conscience
Concerns about conventional farming
Steps towards sustainable eating
Consumer information
Tips on saving money and time
ETHICAL EATING
Summary of UUA Statement of Conscience
CONVENTIONAL AGRICULTURE CONCERNS: ENVIRONMENT
Fossil Fuel UseGreenhouse gasesFertilizer runoffAir pollutionTopsoil erosionAquifer depletion
CONVENTIONAL AGRICULTURE CONCERNS:HEALTH
AntibioticsPesticides, hormonesDecline in nutrientsFood SafetyAdditivesGenetically Modified Organisms
CONVENTIONAL AGRICULTURE CONCERNS: JUSTICE
Harsh working conditions
Low pay
Few rights
Environmental hazards
Safety hazards
WHAT TO DO?
Ideal: grow/raise your own meat and produce
A destination with multiple pathways to follow
It does take more time, money and effort; ask BOTH: am I able? and am I willing?
Where else in your life do you pay more/do more than you need to because of what you value?
Most sustainable:
Buy only produce/fruit that is locally, sustainably and fairly grown and harvested
Possible steps to take:Buy less canned/frozen produceBuy only organic food at the grocery store
Choose certified non-GMOChoose organic for the “dirty dozen” and conventional for other produce
Buy only produce grown in USABuy some produce from a farm market as often as you can
VEGETABLES/FRUITS
Most sustainable: Don’t eat meat or fish.
If you are going to eat meat:Eat only meat that is sustainably
raised, harvested and prepared
MEAT/CHICKEN/FISH
Most sustainable:
Bake/make your own
Buy few packaged goods, minimally processed
PACKAGED GOODS
CAN I DO THIS?
The real costs of industrial food More money, more time Environmental damage nobody pays for Dependence on poorly paid and treated workers Significant health risks Subsidies from our tax dollars
The real benefits of sustainable food Value vs. price Peace of mind
WHAT WILL YOU DO?
WHY BOTHER?
Regain control of our food
Power of consumers – 70% of our economy
Active vs. reactive
The moral/ethical choice
Sets an example
Be the change