Perfect information is glory. Take my Giant checkout line experience, today, for example: because of crafty collaboration between the public and private sectors, I learned precisely upon my grocery receipt’s arrival that I have $44.12 left in food stamp benefits. With this info at my fingertips, I can now plan like a rational consumer how I should budget my remaining benefits until my $200 reload comes Feb. 1.
Now, if I had even quasi-perfect information regarding how my food purchasing habits affected climate change, I would dance with a hobo to a mandolin at firelight. The problem is, I don’t know of any grocery stores in south Arlington, or the United States for that matter, that provide information about the greenhouse gases emitted from growing, packaging, and transporting the food I consume. Hell, it’s a small victory when I’m able to find where the food I consume even comes from.
When it comes to produce,
Giant is a source of perpetual wonder.
Giant confidently labels this variety
of plum tomatoes as a product of
USA and a product of Mexico.
Due to my vast lack of knowledge regarding how my diet and climate change relate to one another, I’m going to start “Food Game” February 1. ¡Get excited! In a nutshell, I’m going to record the distance that the food I consume travels, from its point of origin to the grocery store in which I buy it. This game will require me using mucho estimation, because I most likely won’t be privy to information about the direct route of my food items. Basically, the purpose of this game will be for me to trim down the total travel distance of my food items.
Side note: Food Game is a work in progress. Stay tuned for the entire set of “Food Game” Rules and Regulations.
Power Up: The U.K.is in the process of equipping its consumers with information regarding how their food consumption directly affects climate change. Check it out
sounds awesome! can i send this link to Brett?
ReplyDeleteIf you haven't already, go read "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle" by Barbara Kingsolver. It's all about eating locally and reducing the giant carbon footprint left by the food shipping industry. Also, have you checked out whether there are local farmer's markets in your area? That would be an ideal way to buy fresh, local produce for cheap!
ReplyDeleteMelissa,
ReplyDeleteI haven't read "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle." It's now second on my reading list, after "All the devils are here" by Bethany Mclean.
There is a farmer's market about 7 miles away from where I live. The only problem is that it is crazy pricey and I haven't seen any vendors that accept food stamps.
So as a settle for second place, I'm going to try to wisen up in my mega-grocery shopping purchases.