Over the past year Not Quite Hippie has grown to a point where people I meet consider me something of an influence (or, blegh, an authority?) on food, gardening, and other related green-junk. That’s all fine, I guess I can handle it. My initial goal was to present something that would just get people talking about living a more sustainable lifestyle with the idea that they would start to live one.

The one question everyone wants to know the answer to?

“Is it better to eat food that is local? Or food that is organic?” 

Fair question. I’m kind of sad that it even has to be a question and that all to often the two definitions are exclusive of one another. Yes, there are local food growers who are also organic, but they seem to be few and far between and they are almost never in your grocery store.

So do you buy food that is better for the earth (local) or food that is better for you (organic)?

I’d say, when push comes to shove, go for organic. Yes, even if it comes from Chile or China.

Studies have shown that only about 11% of the carbon produced from food production is associated with transportation. The rest of that, especially in conventional agriculture, goes into everything from the farm machinery to the nitrogen based pesticides and fertilizers.

However, a New York Times story that ran last week showed how the demand for farms that produce organically is straining the water supply of several Mexican provinces. Organic is no longer sustainable and a whole new set of  problems occurs.

Food should be sustainable. I’m not sure how much clearer that needs to be. Creating a sustainable food system comes from a combination of food being produced locally, organically, and food that is consumed responsibly and disposed of with great care.

In a perfect world, this means we only eat what we can grow within our own climate. No more bananas for Colorado! Or coffee. 

And already the perfect world starts to fall apart.

There will always be a demand for food. But the business acumen that has been applied to agriculture is not: “We need to grow enough” but instead “We need to grow more.” This “more growth” idea has been fueled forever by irresponsible subsidies and farmer debt.

The need to increase doesn’t seem to come from the demand, as something to the tune of 30% of all food in America is wasted and around 12% of all our garbage is food-related waste. This food, which is rarely recovered properly,is wasted energy as the energy burned to create and transport those calories are essentially lost in the waste stream.

Rather quickly, the idea of sustainable food falls apart.

What is one to do?

Obviously, you can grow some of your own food. And compost what is leftover. Just poke around this blog, I’m sure you’ll find a dozen bits to help. Or straight up contact me on how you can get started.

Every few years they pass a Farm Bill in Washington D.C. It’s usually allocates agriculture funding for the next few years. Inform yourself about it and encourage your representatives to do something about moving towards a sustainable

At the very least, eat smarter. Think about where you’re food is coming from, what had to happen for it to get to you, and what’s going to happen with the leftovers. Take the time to do the research on what you’re eating – it is, after all, going inside of you.

I have never really been the kind to wait until the new year to act on personal resolutions. However, as the calendar pages get ready to turn and we embark on a whole new year, many people will be looking to use the fresh start to better themselves.  This year, however, I extend a challenge to you.

What would happen if you took your resolutions one step further? You’d be surprised. Not only would you be doing your community a favor, but the resolutions stand a chance of surviving past January.Common resolutions look like the following:

• lose weight/ get fit
• save money
• more time with family/friends
• travel more. 

Here are a few one-step-further resolutions that can have a significantly larger impact.

• Curb your meat consumption. Ideally, all of the way down to zero. The word is out that meat isn’t great for you, is anything but awesome for the environment, and the meat that eventually makes its way to your plate is loaded with antibiotics. By moving meat from the center of your plate to an occasional side dish you’ll be taking about 1/3 off the top of your grocery bill.  Those 10 pounds you resolved to lose? Dropping meat will definitely drop those. You’ll also find yourself with more energy to do things like, say, exercise! Or be active. Or, ultimately, sleep better.
• Consider the energy. From moving your car to heating your home, we spend a surprising amount of money on fuels. Everything we consume requires energy of some capacity to be produced. Keep this in mind when changing your consumption habits. Take shorter showers, modify your home so it is better insulated, ride your bike to work or consider working remotely a few days a week. I anticipate a lot more remote workers and telecommuting this year, its up to you to convince your employer that it is an option worth exploring.
• Cook at home. Sure, you’re saving money. But you’re also preparing foods that are better for you and you can cook extra to save for another meal. You also have the option of sourcing locally grown and organic foods – supporting your farmers and smarter growing practices. When planning menus and shopping for food, try to think beyond of “what do I want to eat” and more into “what is available?” Eat within reason by eating within season.
•  Cultivate communities. Either through participation or facilitation, by just starting conversations about green and sustainable lifestyles works to change people’s minds and habits. This past year I’ve enjoyed hosting a few parties with food-based themes, showing off my garden, and working through this site to show both friends and strangers that living a more sustainable, self-sufficient lifestyle is well within everyone’s reach.

This year, think one step further.