when buying your fruit and veg from a supermarket, do you think of the ecological impact?

Question

do you eat tropical fruit from the far flung corners of the world
or your vegtables from south america?
should we not consider the impact on the planet of these imports?
maybe use farmers markets more and only eat in season fruit and veg..

people choose not to eat meat, won't eat battery eggs, for animal welfare and yet the welfare of the planet doesn't enter anyones thoughts?

Answer 1

Firstly, I want to refute your suggestion that those who choose not to eat meat don't think about their impact on the planet. In fact, as a vegan, I make my choices based on a full combination of animal welfare issues, ethical and human rights issues and ecological issues.

When buying at a supermarket, which on ocassion I am forced to, I keep the food miles to a minimum by choosing things as close to home as possible. Most of my fruit and veg comes from the local farmers' market and other goods usually from health food shops.

I believe it is the responsibility of every individual to do everything they possibly can to reduce their ecological footprint. I do this by a) Not eating any animal products thus reducing the impact of factory farming on the environment. b) Buying fruit and veg from local farmers markets and trying to follow the seasons as far as possible. c) Being aware of the food miles travelled by food which has to be sourced elswhere. d) Buying fairtrade foods and other goods to ensure my impact on the rights of other humans is reduced.

I think a wholehearted and holistic approach to buying, eating and managing food is needed and this is what I am aiming for.

Answer 2

It's not just the ecological impact, it is the ethical one - the madness of countries unable to feed themselves growing stuff for Tesco's so we can bobby beans out of season. Yes, I know they need the currency, but even so, it scarcely seems sane.

Even when the produce is locally produced, the big supermarkets drive down the profits the growers make and make ludicrous demands. They have led shoppers to believe that anything misshapen is poor quality and often apples like Granny Smiths are sold ludicrously under ripe. The natural taste is not acid but the ripe apple is marked and hence unsaleable. The net result is that many consumers are educated to be ignorant about their fruit and veg.

Personally, I only buy potatoes from the supermarket because I am no longer able to carry them. Otherwise, it is the local market for me.

Answer 3

You must be a terribly confused person to start thinking that way. We are now in a globally inter-dependent world, therefore what one region lacks, it should feel free to import from any other region, according to the rules of the game. Importing from the far-flung corners of the world, as you put it, affords those people over there also to earn some decent living and besides fulfills the needs of consumers elsewhere. It is sheer madness for any country today to shut itself off as self-contained. We are now in a global village.

Answer 4

am i able to be the voice of sanity right here. traditionally apples have been saved for long sessions - remember the story approximately one undesirable (ie over-ripe) apple spoiling the barrel. All present day manufacturers have performed by ability of choosing longer lasting lines and utilising hi-tech storage strategies is make greater advantageous that era. by the years picked fruit does loss foodstuff, yet ordinarily interior the 1st few days. As for bagged salad: formaldehyde is what they use in funeral homes/undertakers. i could be bowled over if it became in any parts in salad leaves, the main significant "contaminant" is the chlorine used interior the washers (there is likewise chlorine in maximum faucet water btw). If bagged leaves are the reanimated zombie of the salad international, why do all of them pass brown and slimy after a pair of days in my refrigerator? in case you like brisker foodstuff you may properly be certain concerning the provenance of pass to a Farmers industry the place you may ask the unique manufacturers approximately their storage situations.

Answer 5

i totally agree with you and tagette i buy the occasional organic oranges lemons and banana's from the supermarket but wouldn't if i could find an alternative small shop locally. it is obscene when you see all these vegetables like mange tout french beans coming here from Kenya they should be encouraged to grow enough to feed themselves.

Answer 6

If i could afford to have a conscience about it i would but unfortunately i can't and i refuse to feel bad about it

Answer 7

Britain cannot feed itself so relax and enjoy all the Avocado's, Mango's and Papaya you want.

Answer 8

I don't care about any of that. I only care about my own nutrition.

Answer 9

huh?.....if the foods there why not eat it?.....its only gona go to waste if you dont.....ever thought of that?