By Nicole Ohebshalom, Radiant Living Wellness
The global food and agriculture system produces 1/3 of
humanity's contribution to greenhouse gases. The concern is not just paper or plastic anymore. Consumers are turning their attention to their meals and food shopping experience. These conscious consumers who want to tread lightly are becoming more
concerned about their carbon footprint. When choosing food people are shifting from "Will this make me fat?" to "Is it good for the plant?"
The global food and agriculture system produces 1/3 of
humanity's contribution to greenhouse gases. The concern is not just paper or plastic anymore. Consumers are turning their attention to their meals and food shopping experience. These conscious consumers who want to tread lightly are becoming more
concerned about their carbon footprint. When choosing food people are shifting from "Will this make me fat?" to "Is it good for the plant?"
Companies are seeing how they impact the planet's environment and are beginning to implement strong changes. Lately, Bon Appétit Management Corporation has been advocating their Low Carbon Diet, which is currently in 400 cafes, university's, and corporations. They recently began a meeting by stating, "Customers make choices for us. We need to educate them." They are taking the new aged mantra "Eat Locally" one-step further. They also focus on "food miles" as well as carbon dioxide, other gases and the effect of each step in the life cycle of the food. What's your carbon footprint? Use the Low Carbon Calculator and have fun playing with your food at www.eatlowcarbon.org.
Bon Appétit has stated that by implementing the Low Carbon Diet, the company's greenhouse emission will slim down 25%. When researching the company it was great to learn that they are beginning to eliminate out-of-season foods and imported bottled water. These conscious food companies are taking responsibility for our health and the planets. Through my practice I always support seasonal and local food since I see the effect it has on my clients' health.
To create a larger impact, Bon Appetit's plan is to target bigger companies like their parent company, Compass Group. This corporation is the largest food service company in North America with accounts in sports arenas, public schools, and hospitals. Food companies are beginning to create an aware that burying the leftovers on our land is creating rotting food, which leads to deprivation of oxygen and production Methane gas.
Now that you know the dish. You want to know how you can make changes to help the earth out?
Go to Bon Appétit to begin understanding how your food choices make an effect on your planet. Then when you are faced with a choice of local, organic, and conventional you will have great tools to make the best choice. They also have addition funfacts about their Low Carbon Diet.
Nicole Ohebshalom, RN,CHHC, AADP Radiant Living Wellness
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