Common Foods with Hidden Environmental Impacts

Milk

Problem: The main impact of milk comes during production. However, the type of packaging you choose can make a big environmental impact as well. Refillable glass bottles use up to 8 times less energy than single-use containers. Organic milk production requires less energy but a greater use of land and water.

Solution: Buy locally produced milk in refillable glass bottles.

Pasta

Problem: The energy used to grow, transport and cook pasta is spread across the the entire “life cycle” of the product. In fact, cooking pasta can represent up to 50% of the energy consumption in its life cycle. Growing organic wheat requires more land but less energy.

Solution: Buy local, fresh pasta—not necessarily organic.

Rice

Problem: The biggest environmental impact of rice is the water usage needed to grow the crop. Inefficient irrigation methods can use more water than is necessary. Depending on production location, transportation can also have a large impact.

Solution: Look for alternative grains that are grown locally and that don’t need as much water to grow. Read labels to find rice manufacturers that tout their good irrigation practices.

Tomatoes

Problem: Tomatoes do not naturally grow in all climates, so they are often grown in greenhouses. A tomato grown in a greenhouse can be almost 100 times more energy intensive than an outdoor, naturally-grown tomato.

Solution: Buy your tomatoes from the local farmers market, and ask the farmer how she grew them.

Chicken

Problem: Although raising an organic chicken requires fewer chemicals like pesticides and antibiotics, organic chickens have a longer rearing cycle which has a larger environmental impact.

Solution: One way to cut down on the environmental impact is to buy organic chicken that is raised nearby. Your cooking method also makes a difference—stove tops are surprisingly more energy efficient than closed door cooking.

Bananas

Problem: Bananas are grown primarily in tropical locales far away from their main consumers and then shipped by boat. Ocean freighters are a very energy intensive mode of transportation. Conventional banana plantations have also historically used high quantities of pesticides, had poor land management practices, and treated their workers poorly.

Solution: Buy locally-grown fruits in season. Look for bananas that are certified organic or fair trade.

Grapes

Problem: Grapes are one of those fruits found in the grocery store all year long. Unfortunately, unless you live in Chile, grape season runs only from late summer to early fall. The energy used to transport those juicy favorites to your local grocery store can be significant. Grapes need to be refrigerated continuously, and refrigeration accounts for much of the energy used to transport fruits.

Solution: Eat grapes when they are local and in season.

Broccoli

Problem: Broccoli is one of those vegetables that grows all over the U.S. with a long season. If you are tempted by the organic, frozen ones because of their bucolic packaging, flip them over and check where they were grown—you might be surprised that it is likely Mexico or China.

Solution: Buy locally grown, organic broccoli.

Cheese

Problem: The biggest problem with cheese is the refrigeration needed during transport. There are also issues with how the milk for the cheese is produced.

Solution: Buy your cheese at the farmers market… or at least look for a cheese manufacturer that is less than 500 miles from your house.

Beef

Problem: Beef has the largest impact of all mainstream meats—its carbon footprint is 3 to 7 times larger than chicken. Organic production is less energy intensive but can use more water since grazing cattle require more land than those on factory farms.

Solution: Eat less beef. When you eat beef, choose organic, grass-fed, locally grown beef with minimal packaging.

Learn more in our previous slideshow, 10 Ways to Reduce Your Environmental Footprint.