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2. Buy local
Support your local farmer by purchasing locally-grown produce. Buying local reduces pollution and helps create a strong community economy. Look for farmers markets, roadside stands and health food stores.
Jessica's Organic Farm (shown above) 4180 47th Street, Sarasota. Fridays, 12 - 7:30p.m,
Saturdays 8a.m.– 5p.m.
Downtown Farmer’s Market: Lemon Avenue and Main Street, Sarasota. Every Saturday, 7a.m.-Noon
Find local food anywhere in the U.S.: Foodroutes.org
3. Follow the seasons
Eat seasonal fruits and vegetables which can be grown locally. By eating fresh Florida produce, you help support the state economy and reduce the pollution of long-distance transportation.
Finding Fresh Florida Produce Throughout the Year
4. Eat your veggies
Strive to eat more fruits and vegetables and less meat. Livestock production is one of the leading causes of tropical rainforest removal and soil erosion. There are many delicious vegetarian options that are beneficial for your health and the environment.
Vegetarian Recipes
5. Choose humanely-raised animal products
To find animal products raised in healthy conditions and free of antibiotics and growth hormones, look for the USDA Organic or Certified Humanely Raised and Handled label. "Free Range" products actually include any livestock that is outside for more than five minutes per day. "Raised without antibiotics/hormones" is a good claim, but there is not a certification system to ensure this label.
Find humanely-raised animal products anywhere in the U.S.: Certified Humanely Raised Products
6. Eat sustainable seafood
Many modern fishing practices cause unnecessary damage to our ocean ecosystems. As an eco-conscious consumer, you can help protect marine wildlife by choosing sustainable seafood. Look for the Marine Stewardship Council label or carry a Seafood Watch Guide wallet card.
Southeast Sustainable Seafood Guide
7. Join a food-buying cooperative
Save money, support local farms and bond with other sustainably-minded folks by joining a food-buying cooperative. Members pool their money to purchase fresh produce and bulk foods at wholesale prices. Check out the following listings for Sarasota. If there are no cooperatives available in your area, you can start one by contacting Global Organics Distributors, which serves Southwest Florida.
Green Door Co-op: (Laurel Park) greendoororganics@yahoo.com
Yellow Submarine Co-op: (North Sarasota) fannaroo@hotmail.com
Blue Heron: (Indian Beach) 941-355-5222 or 941-351-9851
Global Organics 941-358-6555
Find a food coop anywhere in the U.S.: Local Harvest
8. Learn to love home-cooking
Cooking at home saves resources and is more economical than purchasing packaged food or eating out. Learn to cook with fresh produce through your local co-op or community farm. Prepare meals ahead of time and freeze individual portions for a healthy diet throughout the workweek.
9. Purchase fresh produce and bulk foods
Choose fresh fruits and vegetables instead of processed products such as frozen or canned goods to reduce packaging and waste. Purchase grains, legumes, nuts and other dried food in bulk quantities to save money.
10. Grow your own
Here in Florida we are blessed with a year-round growing season and there are many possibilities for container plants, home gardens and even edible landscaping. Sarasota County Cooperative Extension offers a number of educational programs on home gardening and horticulture.
Sarasota County Community Gardens 941-861-9800
Sarasota County Cooperative Extension
Florida Master Gardener
Florida House Learning Center
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