Celebrating World Food Day: Sustainable Eating and Nutrition

Welcome to our World Food Day special! Today, we celebrate the power of food in bringing people together while highlighting the importance of sustainable eating and nutrition. As part of this global effort, NMPC proudly supports this celebration, promoting mindful food choices for healthier lives and a more sustainable planet. 

How is our food related to sustainability? 

Sustainability is a common term, but what exactly does it mean and how does it affect you? Simply put, it is the practice of choosing foods that support human and environmental health without negatively affecting future generations. What you eat matters for your health and the welfare of others. When you choose to purchase and eat certain foods, you are supporting specific farming practices. Some farming practices are more sustainable than others. So, by choosing foods from farms that honor sustainability, you are doing your part to protect Earth’s resources. 

Why does making sustainable food choices matter? 

Sustainable farming is critical for conserving the land for future generations. If land becomes unusable to farm, more land will need to be created, which can lead to the destruction of forests. Water, soil, and air pollution from chemicals and greenhouse gases can also harm the environment and contribute to climate change. Although sustainability seems like a far-reaching large-scale issue, you can play your  

part by being thoughtful of what you put on your plate. 

5 ways to be more sustainable with your diet:  

1. Eat more plant-based meals! Meat production produces more greenhouse gases than plant production. Plant-based foods are easier on the environment. Check out our “Bite by Bite: Taking Steps Toward a More Plant-Forward Diet” blog post to get more ideas for plant-forward meals. 
2. Shop local for in-season produce to support your community. You can find in-season produce at your local grocery store or farmer’s market. Buying local can ensure you are getting fresh, in-season produce that required less resources to ship long distances. Shopping local also allows you to develop relationships with local farmers. 
3. Cut Waste! Check out another one of our blogs “7 Tips to Reduce Food Waste” for helpful tips to reduce food waste. It is surprising how many things you can do! Purchasing reusable grocery bags is another small step you can take to reduce waste. 
4. Try to grow your own produce! Being able to see and experience the process of growing produce can help you understand the factors that go in to growing produce on a larger scale. Start small! Try to grow an herb you use frequently such as basil, or one produce plant such as tomatoes. 
5. Start the conversation! Talk about sustainability with your local community, family, and friends to help make them aware. You could do this by inviting your family or friends to go shopping with you at a local grocery store or farmer’s market. Reusable grocery bags and water bottles can make also make great gifts and provide a moment to teach someone why they are beneficial. 

Thank you for reading! At NMPC, we’re dedicated to promoting sustainable eating habits for a healthier planet and a brighter future. Let’s keep making conscious choices that benefit both our well-being and the world around us.