Transform Your Plate, Save the Planet: Embrace Earth Day Every Day with Sustainable Eating!

Every day should be Earth Day, so let’s embrace the best practices of what to eat, where to source our food from, and how to do it in ways that support both human and planetary health.?

We’ve gathered the best tips and tricks on how to build more sustainable eating habits throughout the year:

• Explore Regenerative Agriculture: Poised to revolutionize our food systems, regenerative agriculture focuses on farming practices that sequester carbon and restore the soil, ultimately reaping healthier, more abundant, nutrient-rich crop yields. When hitting our local grocery stores, keep an eye out for brands that are Regenerative Organic Alliance (ROC-certified), like SIMPLi for grains, Anytime Foods for spirits, New Barn Organics for milk and eggs, and Bonterra Organic Estates for wine.
• Eat Plant Forward: Eve Turow-Paul of Food for Climate League has called out that 75% of the world's food is generated from only 12 plants and five animal species . There are 200,000-300,000 edible plant species available to us on earth, but we eat less than 200 of them! Our favorite way to celebrate plants on our plates? Heading to the farmer’s market and buying seasonal and local vegetables, referencing a seasonal produce guide, or tapping unique delivery platforms that source farmer market products year round: Denver’s Pinemelon.com , NYC’s Union Square Greenmarket , LA’s The Original Farmers Market , Detroit’s Eastern Market , and more!
• Experiment with Algae: In 2022, Alex Beggs at Bon Appetit published a powerful article surrounding the future of food , predicting that in 2032 our menus will include “food-waste-eliminating upcycled barley croutons fortified with algae powder (it’s nutrient-dense and a great binder, plus algae draws out more CO2 in the air than trees do).” Fast forward two years, and macro and micro algaes are debuting on plates (and in beauty routines) across the globe. From kelp pickles and chili crisp from Barnacle Foods , Rootless seaweed snacks and Daybreak Foods seasonings, and Algae Cooking Club 's algae oil , there’s no sign of slowing when it comes to food innovation and carbon guzzling algae.?
• Know Your Meat: When eating meat, know the source – choosing local, regenerative, pasture-raised, wild-caught, sustainably farmed, etc. is always a best practice, ensuring you’re supporting ethical farming practices. Check out Forbes’ Food & Agriculture writer and “Raw Deal” author Chloe Sorvino 's interview on Salon.com where she cautions against ‘Big Meat’s current issues, and proposes solutions for the meat industry.'

Here's a simple checklist to guide your journey towards more earth-friendly eating:

• Eggs and Milk: Opt for products from local, pasture-raised animals or brands with a ‘Regenerative Organic Certified’ seal.
• Cocoa and Coffee: Choose fair-trade and organic options, which support sustainable farming practices that enrich rather than deplete soil health.
• Wine & Spirits: Savor a glass from vineyards that commit to producing wine that is environmentally sound, socially equitable, and economically viable.?
• Oatmeal and Bread: Go for grains that are ROC or sourced from local mills and bakeries practicing sustainable farming.
• Oat Milk and More: Embrace plant-based milk alternatives that use less water and land, while also exploring the burgeoning world of sustainable, algae-based foods and oils.

Perfection isn't the goal—progress is. By making mindful choices, even in small ways, each day, we multiply our impact on the planet. Let’s continue to educate ourselves, support sustainable and regenerative food sources, and most importantly, inspire others by sharing our journeys that nourish ourselves and our planet.