Locate an article that describes a current environmental problem. Discuss why you selected the article and why you feel it is an environmental problem worthy of further discussion and research.
There are so many ways that one can reduce the size of your food footprint, and Wal-Mart is going to focus on “sustainable agriculture among its suppliers as it tries to reduce its overall environmental impact” (Clifford, 2010). I think this program is great because people of all types of income levels really enjoy shopping at Wal-Mart because they feel like they are getting a bargain or a really great deal because it is a super sized chain store.
The goal of this program is “to put more locally grown food in Wal-Mart stores in the United States, invest in training and infrastructure for small and medium-size farmers, particularly in emerging markets, and begin to measure how efficiently large suppliers grow and get their produce into stores”(Clifford, 2010).
Some of the changes being made include:
*Wal-Mart has increased its reliance on renewable energy and reduced packaging waste among its suppliers.
*Wal-Mart has pledged to sell $1 billion of food from small and medium farmers which it defines as farmers with fewer than 20 hectares, about 50 acres.
*It will also provide training for the farmers and their laborers on how to choose crops that are in demand and on the proper application of water and pesticides.
So think about the color of your food you purchase on your next trip to the grocery store, does it come from a box, what is listed on the back, and do you even know what the word means. I like to shop on the outside of the store and I stay away from the inner isles because that is where a lot of junk food is kept. I know if I liked to cook I would be in the other isles, but for me I like to eat the pre-packed salads over in the deli area because they are quick and healthy. I also love Greek Yogurt, frozen vegetables and there is even a grilled chicken that is put out Perdue called Simply Smart so I feel that I am eating healthy and it does not cost a lot, so those are two great things.
Alyce Lomax writes, “One of the biggest food debates about America’s food supply and diet is the fact that the cheapest food options are often the unhealthiest and the most fattening. Rising obesity rates, including childhood obesity are often linked to low-priced high calorie food” (Lomax, 2012).
She also writes an article about Wal-Mart introducing an initiative that says “great for you” on the products which are considered healthy and is aimed at helping low-income families buy better quality food for less (Lomax, 2012). I have friends who like to shop at Wal-Mart even though they do not fall into the low-income classification but they enjoy the hunt for big bargains because they like to shop.
How do you reduce your food footprint? Here is several ways that you and I can make changes to how and where we buy our food. There is also a quiz that helps you to figure out what your environmental footprint is and it also suggests many ways to reduce our effects of consumption.
Here are some suggestions for food:
Reduce your Food Footprint
I actually scored less in all areas with the exception of food being right around the same as what the normal percentage will be. This is a quiz that only takes a few minutes so if you are interested take it.
I also found another article written by Molly Watson and she gives gives 8 reasons why you should eat local foods her list includes:
*Local Foods Are Fresher (and Taste Better)
*Local Foods Are Seasonal (and Taste Better)
*Local Foods Usually Have Less Environmental Impact
*Local Foods Preserve Green Space & Farmland
*Local Foods Promote Food Safety
*Local Foods Support Your Local Economy
*Local Foods Promote Variety
*Local Foods Create Community
This was a really great article also and I am feeling hungry after reading all about food. What kinds of changes can you make? Think about how far your food has to travel to reach you? Consider this statement that Molly makes,” During the e. coli outbreak in spinach in 2006 I knew the spinach in my refrigerator was safe because I knew it was grown in Yolo County by a farmer I knew, and, as importantly, that it didn't come from Salinas County where the outbreak was” (Watson, 2012).
Center for Sustainable Economy. (2012, February 15). Reduce your footprint. Retrieved from http://myfootprint.org/en/take_action/reduce_your_footprint/
Clifford, S. (2010, October 14). Wal-Mart to buy more local produce. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/15/business/15walmart.html?
Lomax, A. (2012, February 2). Wal-Marts new health food push: is it too hard to swallow?. Retrieved from
Watson, M. (2012, February 15). Eight reasons to eat local foods. Retrieved from http://localfoods.about.com/od/finduselocalfoods/tp/5-Reasons-to-Eat-Local-Foods.htm
There are so many ways that one can reduce the size of your food footprint, and Wal-Mart is going to focus on “sustainable agriculture among its suppliers as it tries to reduce its overall environmental impact” (Clifford, 2010). I think this program is great because people of all types of income levels really enjoy shopping at Wal-Mart because they feel like they are getting a bargain or a really great deal because it is a super sized chain store.
The goal of this program is “to put more locally grown food in Wal-Mart stores in the United States, invest in training and infrastructure for small and medium-size farmers, particularly in emerging markets, and begin to measure how efficiently large suppliers grow and get their produce into stores”(Clifford, 2010).
Some of the changes being made include:
*Wal-Mart has increased its reliance on renewable energy and reduced packaging waste among its suppliers.
*Wal-Mart has pledged to sell $1 billion of food from small and medium farmers which it defines as farmers with fewer than 20 hectares, about 50 acres.
*It will also provide training for the farmers and their laborers on how to choose crops that are in demand and on the proper application of water and pesticides.
*It planned to reduce food waste in emerging-market stores by 15 percent and in other stores by 10 percent.
I got this information from an article called 'Wal-Mart to Buy More Local Produce', written by Stephanie Clifford who wrote this for The New York Times. Has anybody heard about this program, I had not because I am a Hannaford shopper and I rarely go to Wal-Mart maybe once at year at that.So think about the color of your food you purchase on your next trip to the grocery store, does it come from a box, what is listed on the back, and do you even know what the word means. I like to shop on the outside of the store and I stay away from the inner isles because that is where a lot of junk food is kept. I know if I liked to cook I would be in the other isles, but for me I like to eat the pre-packed salads over in the deli area because they are quick and healthy. I also love Greek Yogurt, frozen vegetables and there is even a grilled chicken that is put out Perdue called Simply Smart so I feel that I am eating healthy and it does not cost a lot, so those are two great things.
Alyce Lomax writes, “One of the biggest food debates about America’s food supply and diet is the fact that the cheapest food options are often the unhealthiest and the most fattening. Rising obesity rates, including childhood obesity are often linked to low-priced high calorie food” (Lomax, 2012).
She also writes an article about Wal-Mart introducing an initiative that says “great for you” on the products which are considered healthy and is aimed at helping low-income families buy better quality food for less (Lomax, 2012). I have friends who like to shop at Wal-Mart even though they do not fall into the low-income classification but they enjoy the hunt for big bargains because they like to shop.
How do you reduce your food footprint? Here is several ways that you and I can make changes to how and where we buy our food. There is also a quiz that helps you to figure out what your environmental footprint is and it also suggests many ways to reduce our effects of consumption.
Here are some suggestions for food:
Reduce your Food Footprint
· Eat more local, organic, in-season foods.
· Plant a garden-it doesn't get more local than that.
· Shop at your local farmer's market or natural foods store. Look for local, in-season foods that haven't traveled long distances to reach you.
· Choose foods with less packaging to reduce waste.
· Eat lower on the food chain-going meatless for just one meal a week can make a difference. Globally, it has been estimated that 18% of all greenhouse gas emissions are associated with meat consumption How many things on this list are you already doing and what are things that you can add that won’t really be a hassle or feel like it won’t make a difference in the big picture? (Center For Sustainable Economy, 2012)
I also found another article written by Molly Watson and she gives gives 8 reasons why you should eat local foods her list includes:
*Local Foods Are Fresher (and Taste Better)
*Local Foods Are Seasonal (and Taste Better)
*Local Foods Usually Have Less Environmental Impact
*Local Foods Preserve Green Space & Farmland
*Local Foods Promote Food Safety
*Local Foods Support Your Local Economy
*Local Foods Promote Variety
*Local Foods Create Community
This was a really great article also and I am feeling hungry after reading all about food. What kinds of changes can you make? Think about how far your food has to travel to reach you? Consider this statement that Molly makes,” During the e. coli outbreak in spinach in 2006 I knew the spinach in my refrigerator was safe because I knew it was grown in Yolo County by a farmer I knew, and, as importantly, that it didn't come from Salinas County where the outbreak was” (Watson, 2012).
Center for Sustainable Economy. (2012, February 15). Reduce your footprint. Retrieved from http://myfootprint.org/en/take_action/reduce_your_footprint/
Clifford, S. (2010, October 14). Wal-Mart to buy more local produce. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/15/business/15walmart.html?
Lomax, A. (2012, February 2). Wal-Marts new health food push: is it too hard to swallow?. Retrieved from
Watson, M. (2012, February 15). Eight reasons to eat local foods. Retrieved from http://localfoods.about.com/od/finduselocalfoods/tp/5-Reasons-to-Eat-Local-Foods.htm
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