How we eat determines to a considerable extent how the world is used. - Wendell Berry

July 2008 Food for Life (eat well and do good at the same time) Where our food comes from and how it is grown or caught does affect the health of our world’s ocean. Each of us can use our power as a consumer to become part of an “ocean-friendly” solution. Most commercially valuable ocean species are overfished, and many types of ocean fish farming are highly damaging to coastal environments. Additionally, some of the most serious threats to our ocean come from land-based sources, including industrial agriculture operations. Whether or not you eat seafood, you can do our ocean a big favor by eating organic, local and less-processed foods.

  Three for me...

1. Go Organic! Eating pesticide- and hormone-free food is better for our bodies and better for our ocean planet. Choosing to make an organic switch, even with only a few items in your shopping cart, is a great way to help keep harmful chemicals out of the waters that feed our world’s ocean. Check out this full list of 10 Reasons to Eat Organic to get started.
   
   
2. Keep your fish fry toxin-free. Large fish at the top of the food chain, like tuna, swordfish, shark, sea bass, and grouper, accumulate toxins and heavy metals such as mercury and PCB’s in their flesh; these nasty contaminants originate from land-based sources of pollution, like coal-fired power plants, and cooking can't get rid of them. Even farmed salmon, because of their food source, can harbor persistent organic pollutants. Smaller "schooling" fish like sardines and anchovies don't have the same problems and are better choices to keep you and your family healthy!
   
   
3. Eat for a healthy you and a healthy ocean. Try to shift your diet this month to explore delicious foods that are lower on the food chain. Substitute fruits, nuts, vegetables, grains, and legumes for meats which use a lot of natural resources to make it to your plate. While you’re making this shift why not experiment with some veggie-based gourmet cuisine? Almost every country in the world has exciting ways of preparing vegetarian foods. One of the best parts is that taking a day, week, or a whole month to eat a plant-based diet reduces your carbon footprint and saves water, ultimately helping our ocean. This month making a big difference for our ocean planet by eating more tasty vegetarian meals!

  ...and three for the seas

1. Sustainable seafood today leaves some for tomorrow. Many fish populations are on the decline due to overfishing and destructive practices, but it is not too late – if you eat fish, help conserve fish for the future by choosing to buy sustainable seafood. Seafood is called sustainable when it is fished in a way that conserves nature and leaves plenty of fish for the next generation and other animals to eat. It may seem confusing to figure out which types of seafood are sustainable but luckily there are plenty of great resources out there to help you easily navigate your seafood purchases, meal planning, and restaurant choice.
   
   
2. Support local farmers and fishers. Remember that getting locally caught fish and other types of food is oftentimes the most sustainable option! In America, food has traveled on average 1,500 miles (2,400 kilometers) to get to your plate. Eating locally farmed or fished foods cuts down on food transportation by air, ship, and truck, dramatically reducing greenhouse gas pollution. Eating local supports your community’s economy and our global ecosystem, including the ocean’s coral reefs!
   
   
3. Break the bottle habit. Investing in a sturdy reusable water bottle and taking it with you wherever you go makes a big difference. Eliminate the need to buy drinks in disposable containers. A lot of resources go into creating and disposing those plastic drink bottles. Sign the No Bottled Water Pledge today!