Climate Action Toolkit

Food Choices

ACTIONS: 2-1 thru 2-6

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Key Resources

Read Part 1 of the Resilient Neighborhoods Handbook covering Food Choices and explore the Toolkit sections below to choose the actions you will take and learn how to take those actions.

Read

Resilient Neighborhoods Handbook, Part 1

Watch

Video: The Diet that Helps Fight Climate Change

Explore

Explore the links below corresponding to the Food Choices section of your Climate Action Plan to learn more about how to take each action.

Food Choices: Actions 2-1 thru 2-6

​EASY - GET STARTED NOW (5 minutes to 1 hour)

​Click the (+/-) sign next to the action number to (view/ hide) the information for that action.

Action 2-1. Visit a farmers market in the next 2 months or join a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture)

- To find a listing of local farmers markets, organic farms, farm stands, and CSAs (Community Supported Agriculture), visit GrownInMarin.org. For farmers' markets, use this Marin County link.
- The Agricultural Institute of Marin offers a year-round Sunday Marin Farmers Market at the Civic Center in San Rafael.
- Market Match: make shopping at the AIM Farmer's Markets more affordable. Market Match is an incentive program that offers shoppers double value when they use Cal Fresh EBT/Food Stamps at AIM’s Farmers Markets. When you swipe your EBT card for between $1-$15 in EBT tokens at the Information Booth, you will receive a one-to-one match up to $15 in Market Match purple tokens, which can be used to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables.
- To find a local farm by agricultural product (such as vegetables & fruit, dairy, livestock & poultry), go to this link. 
- FEED Cooperative: a farmer & employee-owned fresh produce cooperative. Pick up at a local business or have your box delivered.
- Imperfect Produce delivers organics to your door and reduces food waste. 

Action 2-2. Shift 2 frequent purchases to local produce or farms

For example, consider switching to Straus dairy products- the milk comes in a glass container, which can be returned to the store. Switching to Straus also gives you credit for Action 2-3 as an organic product and Action 1-7, shifting to a locally owned business. ​

Action 2-3. Buy organic for half of your fresh produce

The Environmental Working Group conducts scientific testing of pesticides in conventionally grown produce and updates a guide called the Dirty Dozen and Clean 15 annually. Choose to buy organic for at least the "dirty dozen". Click here for their Dirty Dozen and Clean 15- a guide to products with the most and least pesticides.

Action 2-4. Plant or grow at least 1 fruit or vegetable

Marin Master Gardeners is a wonderful resource! They provide plant and gardening advice and offer great events!

Action 2-5. Switch to vegetarian or vegan food

Try vegetarian or vegan meals for just one day a week, or switch to vegan or vegetarian breakfasts and lunches.
- Meatless Mondays has recipes and tips
- Check out the Vegan Recipes handout
- For plant-based cooking classes, check out The Happy Pear. (Two brothers from Ireland who bring passion and fun to plant-based cooking and eating!)
- Download the Fork Ranger app. It explains the connection between climate and food, while also providing great recipes, cookbooks, and seasonal food calendars. 
- Take a Vegan-Pledge and take advantage of these free resources!

Action 2-6. Reduce food waste

The world's third-largest source of greenhouse gas emissions. Create a weekly menu and purchase only fresh food that you need or can freeze.
There are great tips for preventing food waste at Save The Food. You'll find:
- a "guest-imator" that helps you plan for a dinner party
and more! ​Consider purchasing The Waste Free Kitchen Handbook. *** Check your local bookstore! ***
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