Shop your way to a greener holiday meal
If you’re looking for ways to have a greener holiday this year, sustainable food and beverages are a natural fit. We’ve paired up some common holiday fare with some of the most trustworthy eco-labels you can find. Products with these labels can not only help benefit the environment, but the people who produce them.
TURKEY & OTHER MEAT
Certified organic and biodynamic turkey and other meat comes from animals raised without antibiotics, growth hormones or feed made from animal byproducts. Also, unlike conventional foods, no genetic modification, synthetic pesticides or use of fertilizer made from sewage sludge is allowed. Look for organic and biodynamic meat at your local farmers market and natural or conventional grocery store. To learn more about these labels, visit our free Eco-labels center.
Certified humane and free farmed meat comes from animals raised by farmers who follow humane treatment standards. Growth hormones are prohibited and animals are raised without antibiotics (antibiotics can be used in the treatment of sick animals, however). Access to clean and sufficient food and water, and a safe and healthful living environment, is also required. Producers must comply with environmental standards and processors must follow the American Meat Institute Standards—a higher standard for slaughtering farm animals than required by the Federal Humane Slaughter Act. Look for meat with these labels at your local farmers market and natural or conventional grocery store. To learn more about these labels, visit our free Eco-labels center.
Heritage breeds, while not identified by a particular eco-label, are traditional animal breeds that were raised before the onset of industrial agriculture, when biodiversity in livestock began to dwindle. Look for heritage breeds at your local farmers market or visit Heritage Foods USA or the Eat Well Guide – and visit early, as products are known to sell out quickly. To learn more about heritage breeds, visit Sustainable Table, a project of the nonprofit organization, GRACE.
FRUITS & VEGETABLES
Certified organic and biodynamic produce is grown without genetic modification, synthetic pesticides or use of fertilizer made from sewage sludge. Look for organic and biodynamic produce at your local farmers market and natural or conventional grocery store. To learn more about these labels, visit our free Eco-labels center.
Fair Trade certified produce is grown by farmers and workers in developing nations who receive a fair price for their product. Trade is done directly between farmer-owned cooperatives and buyers. Crops, including bananas, mangoes, pineapples, and grapes, are grown using soil and water conservation measures that restrict the use of harmful pesticides. To find out where Fair Trade Certified products are sold, visit TransFair USA. To learn more about this label, visit our free Eco-labels center.
Heirloom varieties, while not identified by a particular eco-label, are traditional fruit and vegetable varieties that were raised before the onset of industrial agriculture, when biodiversity in produce began to dwindle. Look for heirloom varieties at your local farmers market or the Eat Well Guide. To learn more about heirloom varieties, visit Sustainable Table, a project of the nonprofit organization, GRACE.
COFFEE, TEA, & WINE
Certified organic and biodynamic coffee, tea, and wine is grown without genetic modification, synthetic pesticides or use of fertilizer made from sewage sludge. Look for organic and biodynamic beverages at natural and conventional grocery stores. To learn more about these labels, visit our free Eco-labels center.
Fair Trade certified coffee, tea, and wine is grown by farmers and workers in developing nations who receive a fair price for their product. Trade is done directly between farmer-owned cooperatives and buyers. Crops are grown using soil and water conservation measures that restrict the use of harmful pesticides. To find out where Fair Trade Certified products are sold, visit TransFair USA. To learn more about this label, visit our free Eco-labels center.
Rainforest Alliance certified coffee and tea is grown using integrated pest management systems that limit the use of agrochemicals. Crops are grown using water-, soil-, and wildlife-habitat conservation measures. Farm laborers are paid salaries and benefits equal to or greater than the legal minimum wage of their countries. To find Rainforest Alliance certified coffee, visit the Rainforest Alliance, an environmental advocacy and certification organization. To learn more about this label, visit our free Eco-labels center.
Bird Friendly certified coffee is grown under conditions that support healthy bird habitats. It’s grown under a tree canopy with a minimum of 40 percent shade. It’s also grown organically, according to USDA organic standards. For a list of Bird Friendly coffee companies, visit the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center, a research and certification organization. To learn more about this label, visit our free Eco-labels center.
CHOCOLATE
Certified organic chocolate is grown without genetic modification, synthetic pesticides or use of fertilizer made from sewage sludge. Look for organic chocolate at natural and conventional grocery stores. To learn more about this label, visit our free Eco-labels center.
Fair Trade certified chocolate is grown by farmers and workers in developing nations who receive a fair price for their product. Trade is done directly between farmer-owned cooperatives and buyers. Crops are grown using soil and water conservation measures that restrict the use of harmful pesticides. To find out where Fair Trade Certified products are sold, visit TransFair USA. To learn more about this label, visit our free Eco-labels center.
Rainforest Alliance certified chocolate is grown using integrated pest management systems that limit the use of agrochemicals. Crops are grown using water-, soil-, and wildlife-habitat conservation measures. Farm laborers are paid salaries and benefits equal to or greater than the legal minimum wage of their countries. To find Rainforest Alliance certified chocolate, visit the Rainforest Alliance, an environmental advocacy and certification organization. To learn more about this label, visit our free Eco-labels center.
For more information about these and other labels, visit our free Eco-labels center.
Last updated November 2007
|
|
|
