4 ms·

If you can, please buy whole (not processed) foods at a farmers' market instead of processed foods from these mega corporations. - You end up eating a much wid

If you can, please buy whole (not processed) foods at a farmers' market instead of processed foods from these mega corporations. - You end up eating a much wider variety of food, depending on what is in season. - You end up eating delicious foods that may not travel well, such as amazing heirloom strawberry and tomato varieties during the summer. - You cut out the middleman, and support local businesses instead of multinational food conglomerates. - You will probably end up eating less meat, but will enjoy the meat you do eat more. - You'll wind up meeting the same people every week at the market, turning grocery shopping into a social event. In short, farmers' markets are good for the environment, your health, the economy, and the community. Use them!

spodek 6y ago
Also join a CSA (here's a guide https://www.localharvest.org https://www.localharvest.org). I've bought nearly all my food for a few years from my CSAs, farmers markets, and food co-op. Nothing from any of the companies listed in the article. Much of the food I know the farmers and vendors. As a side effect, the last time I emptied my garbage was Christmas 2019. I buy almost nothing packaged. I calculated my annual food expenses and it's a bit under the national average, but that includes feeding at least 50 other meals since CSAs provide so much food. For people who don't have access, I've led workshops to people in food deserts, but the most effective way to improve access for others is to support CSAs, farmers markets, and food co-ops yourself. If your area lacks them, it takes effort, but my family helped form a food co-op when I was young and it has become a cornerstone of the community. Every community benefits from healthy, delicious food.
ars 6y ago
Just be aware you will be (indirectly) emitting more CO2, and using more pesticides and fertilizer by buying from Farmers Markets. So you have to decide what's more important to you. (Small farms are less efficient, less efficient means uses more energy and other inputs.) There is a middle ground between the "processed foods from these mega corporations" (which I agree you should not buy) and farmers markets though: Just buy regular produce from a grocery store, and cook normal food.
- readflaggedcomm 6y ago
  Megacorporate agriculture industry can save the climate? No wonder their lobbyists are so beloved.
- madvoid 6y ago
  I actually think what you eat is the dominating factor in food CO2 production: https://ourworldindata.org/uploads/2020/02/Environmental-impact-of-food-by-life-cycle-stage-1536x1380.png https://ourworldindata.org/uploads/2020/02/Environmental-imp... Transport and processing are fairly minor components overall for all foods. The claim about pesticides and fertilizers I know nothing about though.
- samcheng 6y ago
  You should buy organic at the farmers' market AND the supermarket, but that's a different topic. It's definitely not clear to me that farmers' markets are worse for the environment - in many cases, it's the same farmer looking for a direct-to-consumer outlet for some of their product.
- danaris 6y ago
  Small local farms also don't have to ship the food across the country or the ocean to get it to you. That drastically reduces the carbon footprint of such consumption.
  - ars 6y ago
    It actually does not. Shipping food emits very very little CO2 compared to growing it. So the most optimum thing (in terms of CO2) is to plant food where it grows best and then ship it. As an extreme example compare a greenhouse with regular outdoor planting. Or compare growing food where you need a lot of pesticides or fertilizer vs where you do not.
    - readflaggedcomm 6y ago
      Neither of those examples support your assertion.

spodek 6y ago

Also join a CSA (here's a guide https://www.localharvest.org https://www.localharvest.org). I've bought nearly all my food for a few years from my CSAs, farmers markets, and food co-op. Nothing from any of the companies listed in the article. Much of the food I know the farmers and vendors. As a side effect, the last time I emptied my garbage was Christmas 2019. I buy almost nothing packaged. I calculated my annual food expenses and it's a bit under the national average, but that includes feeding at least 50 other meals since CSAs provide so much food. For people who don't have access, I've led workshops to people in food deserts, but the most effective way to improve access for others is to support CSAs, farmers markets, and food co-ops yourself. If your area lacks them, it takes effort, but my family helped form a food co-op when I was young and it has become a cornerstone of the community. Every community benefits from healthy, delicious food.

ars 6y ago

Just be aware you will be (indirectly) emitting more CO2, and using more pesticides and fertilizer by buying from Farmers Markets. So you have to decide what's more important to you. (Small farms are less efficient, less efficient means uses more energy and other inputs.) There is a middle ground between the "processed foods from these mega corporations" (which I agree you should not buy) and farmers markets though: Just buy regular produce from a grocery store, and cook normal food.

readflaggedcomm 6y ago
Megacorporate agriculture industry can save the climate? No wonder their lobbyists are so beloved.
madvoid 6y ago
I actually think what you eat is the dominating factor in food CO2 production: https://ourworldindata.org/uploads/2020/02/Environmental-impact-of-food-by-life-cycle-stage-1536x1380.png https://ourworldindata.org/uploads/2020/02/Environmental-imp... Transport and processing are fairly minor components overall for all foods. The claim about pesticides and fertilizers I know nothing about though.
samcheng 6y ago
You should buy organic at the farmers' market AND the supermarket, but that's a different topic. It's definitely not clear to me that farmers' markets are worse for the environment - in many cases, it's the same farmer looking for a direct-to-consumer outlet for some of their product.
danaris 6y ago
Small local farms also don't have to ship the food across the country or the ocean to get it to you. That drastically reduces the carbon footprint of such consumption.
- ars 6y ago
  It actually does not. Shipping food emits very very little CO2 compared to growing it. So the most optimum thing (in terms of CO2) is to plant food where it grows best and then ship it. As an extreme example compare a greenhouse with regular outdoor planting. Or compare growing food where you need a lot of pesticides or fertilizer vs where you do not.
  - readflaggedcomm 6y ago
    Neither of those examples support your assertion.