Eating Earth friendly
What if eating supported our planet's health? Well I have good news it can. There are certain veggies that support our health and the planet's health. I love it when I can conquer two good feeling tasks in one action. It's multitasking at its finest.
Most people know shopping local is a great step to being more environmentally friendly. Now you can feel even better buying this list locally grown vegetables from your favorite farmer at the farmers' market.
Garden Peas
Garden Peas fix nitrogen into the soil, making them an eco-friendly alternative to soybean plants. Fixing nitrogen into the soil eliminates the need for synthetic fertilizers leaving the soil rich with nutrients after harvest. Pea plants prefer cool conditions which will result in reducing water waste associated with hot temps.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are something most of us love to eat in the summer. Little did I know until writing this article that they have a low carbon footprint (ranking second on the Environmental Working Group's list). If you have ever eaten a locally grown tomato you probably have sworn off supermarket tomatoes for good. Tomatoes have a deep root system that absorbs moisture from deeper soil, limiting the need for water in hot summer months. Any good farmer or gardener knows the less you water a tomato plant the sweeter the fruit.
Broccoli
Broccoli production releases less carbon than driving one mile in your car and does not need synthetic pesticides since it produces compounds that act as a natural pesticide.
Amaranth
Amaranth is an ancient grain packed with protein and nutrients. It is resilient and requires little water. Amaranth can grow in just about any type of soil. It has been thought that this grain can be an asset in combating food scarcity. It also adds biodiversity to the monoculture grain crop of the U.S.
Potatoes
Potato plants produce natural pesticides and fungicides that reduce the need for synthetic chemicals. They are water efficient crops making them perfect for dry farming. They only consume 50 gallons per pound where rice consumes 403 gallons. Potatoes can be stored for a long period too.
Oranges
Oranges also require little water. They use 55 gallons per pound and are a great source of Vitamin C.
You can find all these wonderful environmental crops at our Sonoma County Farmers Markets. Now you can feel good that your meal is not only feeding you and your family but has a ripple effect that is good for our planet Earth.
Kelly Smith is Executive Director of Agricultural Community Events Farmers Markets, a local nonprofit that operates 8 Sonoma County Farmers Markets. www.ilovefarmersmarkets.org
