The first concern that comes to mind when I tell people I'm waste free is “where do you get your food from?!” Well, here's a blog to answer all of your questions!
Shopping at stores that offer food in bulk is the way to go. In Whitewater, Wisconsin, there aren't many options for us waste free people (population: 3). So we had to take a little trip to a co-op called Basics in Janesville (30 minute drive). We took our first bulk shopping trip together, so we could figure out how the process works together. First, you ask an employee to get the weight of the containers you brought (called tare weight) and then you fill up with whatever you need!
Here are the benefits I have found from bulk shopping:
As for preparing the food, it does take some extra time to chop and cook and prepare, but it sure does taste a lot better knowing how it's prepared and where it comes from! Plus, once you get in the routine of making food, it gets easier to plan when you need to make food. I'll be posting another blog with some recipe ideas, since it does take a bit of creativity at first!
As for eating out, fast food is pretty much a no-go and if it's a sit down restaurant, then just ask for no straw, no napkin, no wax paper, etc. if you explain what you're doing politely they'll usually be sure to put in a special order for you. Also, this is just me, but when I eat out, I always try to pick a local restaurant and if the option is available I try to pick a “farm to table” restaurant.
I'm sure I'll have more food tips as I learn more about being waste free! Also, you may realize this is no longer "Waste Free February". For one, I'm really bad at timing, so I didn't write my blogs in time before the end of February; two, I am going to continue this lifestyle as much as I can incorporate it into my life, so there's no need for a silly title now. ;D
Shopping at stores that offer food in bulk is the way to go. In Whitewater, Wisconsin, there aren't many options for us waste free people (population: 3). So we had to take a little trip to a co-op called Basics in Janesville (30 minute drive). We took our first bulk shopping trip together, so we could figure out how the process works together. First, you ask an employee to get the weight of the containers you brought (called tare weight) and then you fill up with whatever you need!
Here are the benefits I have found from bulk shopping:
- The price: it's very affordable! One of my shopping trips was only ten dollars for pasta, garbanzo beans, banana chips, granola, rosemary, and rice.
- The amount: you choose how much you want/need, so you can take a little if you just need it for a one time recipe or you can take a lot to last you a while (items like rice or beans are good to stock up on).
- It's healthier: what you buy is what you get, and most places have tons of organic options!
- It's environmentally friendly: my favorite reason, of course! You won't feel guilty for creating waste, and you almost have to be a vegan or at least a vegetarian (meat is bad for the environment). Also, it encourages a lot of scouting for local products and smaller shops, which helps cut down on how far products have to travel to get to you and you'll be supporting your local economy.
As for preparing the food, it does take some extra time to chop and cook and prepare, but it sure does taste a lot better knowing how it's prepared and where it comes from! Plus, once you get in the routine of making food, it gets easier to plan when you need to make food. I'll be posting another blog with some recipe ideas, since it does take a bit of creativity at first!
As for eating out, fast food is pretty much a no-go and if it's a sit down restaurant, then just ask for no straw, no napkin, no wax paper, etc. if you explain what you're doing politely they'll usually be sure to put in a special order for you. Also, this is just me, but when I eat out, I always try to pick a local restaurant and if the option is available I try to pick a “farm to table” restaurant.
I'm sure I'll have more food tips as I learn more about being waste free! Also, you may realize this is no longer "Waste Free February". For one, I'm really bad at timing, so I didn't write my blogs in time before the end of February; two, I am going to continue this lifestyle as much as I can incorporate it into my life, so there's no need for a silly title now. ;D