Is Green Dining on Your Community Menu?

When it comes to green dining, people envision a range of activities. For many, it means patronizing a restaurant that sources its food locally. For others, green dining simply means making the most of what is readily available.

Going Green at Home

Let’s start with the food that you consume at home. Using reusable bags can become automatic when you store them in your car and keep one of those compact designs in your purse. Save money and plastic bags by purchasing self-portioned food in bulk. How about baking your own bread with ingredients chosen and approved by you? When you make homemade yogurt and peanut butter, you can buy bulk ingredients and eliminate plastic storage containers. Buying foods that are grown close to home benefits your community by keeping dollars local. Preparing meals with seasonal food also demands fewer transportation resources.

Home & Community Grown

With your own garden space, you can choose what you want to grow and follow nutrition-enhancing practices. Whether the opportunity to grow-your-own comes with your house, in a community plot, within a container or on straw bale, you benefit with just-picked, tasty produce. Sweden’s Community farming is a prime example of how sustainable and green local produce is. Their family community plots allow neighbours to exchange organic produce within walking distance; removing the need for a vehicle & reducing emissions associated with travelling to a grocery store. In North America, there are similar benefits to community farms. The Brooklyn Grange in New York City is the world’s largest rooftop farm; produces tens of thousands of local organic produce right in the heart of the city.

Extending the life of produce

In addition to home-grown and local practices, extending your supply with preservation in the form of canning, freezing and fermentation, maximizes the potential of crops. Produce such winter squash, onions, garlic, potatoes, and root crops can be stored for several months given proper conditions.

Potatoes are one of the simplest to store; use a cardboard box, paper or mesh bag which allows for good ventilation. Potatoes should only be stored that are entirely rot & sprout free. Once you’ve prepped for storage, place them in a cool (45° – 55°F) & dry area; extending their edibility for up to 3 months. However, if they have re-sprouted you can recycle them by easily replanting in your garden.

Farmers Markets

Farmers’ markets are also great sources for fresh produce. Subscribing to a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program will supply you with fresh produce during the growing season and in some cases, the cold season, if hoop houses are utilized. Procuring food from these producers will give them the financial and personal encouragement to sustain their businesses.

Choose Sustainable Menu Items

Whether you dine out or make dinner at home, choose sustainable menu items. Seafood in ample supply and protein that come from grass-fed animals are responsible selections. Plant based proteins such as lentils and beans are also a wise and healthful choices. Also, organically produced food and beverages promote personal well-being and environmental health. Shop consciously and purchase only what will be used. Do your part to cut down on food waste by freezing leftovers and compost what you don’t consume. 

In addition to sustainable food sources, Certified Green Restaurants aim make the most out of food waste. With composting as a prominent method, these establishments strive for zero waste by repurposing oils to make biodiesel fuel or animal feed, deploying portion control, using environmentally conscious packaging for takeout & more. 

If you’re dining out or on the go try requesting reusable utensils, bringing your own container for leftovers, keeping your reusable coffee cup in the car or using a glass container for beverages. Whether working with school personnel to encourage healthy menus using locally produced food, or advocating for healthy options for hospital patients, your support of green dining benefits all consumers.