Eat Sustainably
Research shows that more than a third – 34% – of all man-made greenhouse gas emissions are generated by food systems. These resources will help you live and eat in ways healthier for you and the planet.
Resources and Tools
When uneaten food ends up in landfills, it decomposes and releases methane gas—which has 28-36% more heat-trapping capability than carbon dioxide.
If every Maine household cut their wasted food in half, it would be the greenhouse gas reduction equivalent of taking 119,000 cars off the road every year. Reducing food waste is the top strategy to limit the global release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
Here are some quick tips for reducing your food waste:
1. Make a shopping list – make sure you’re only buying what you need!
2. Shop your refrigerator – you might already have the ingredients you need to make a delicious meal!
3. Plan meals – reduce waste by planning out your meals ahead of time!
4. Find recipes that use leftovers – your leftovers can serve as the ingredients for a whole new delicious meal!
5. Compost your food waste – Create a compost bin or pile on your property, or drop off your plant-based waste in the Garbage to Gardens compost bins available at the Freeport Public Safety Building and the Recycling Center.
Cutting meat consumption is a powerful and personal thing you can do to tackle the climate crisis, and you can do it immediately.
About 40 percent of greenhouse gases come from agriculture, deforestation and other land-use changes. Meat—particularly beef—drives climate change by the production of methane and the destruction of forests. Eating more plant-based meals not only helps slow climate change, but is also good for your health!
> Learn about beef and climate change
Composting food improves soil health, reduces greenhouse gas emissions and recycles nutrients. Drop your food waste off at one of the public composting bins in town, or several options are available for effective backyard composting. The Freeport Recycling Center sells the Earth Machine backyard composters, compost turners, thermometers as well as rain barrels.
When you shop at farmer’s markets, you are not only supporting local farmers and getting fresher food, but you’re also lowering greenhouse gas emissions by greatly reducing packaging and shipping.
What is Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)?
Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) is a production and marketing model whereby consumers buy shares of a farm’s harvest in advance. In return for their membership fee, consumers receive a variety of freshly picked vegetables (usually organic) every week. Buying your food this way is not only fresher, but lowers greenhouse gas emissions by greatly reducing packaging and shipping.
FREEPORT CSA FARMS:
OTHER AREA CSA FARMS: