Whenever I go to the supermarket, I have many questions running through my head. Should I buy products that support workers in the Third World by buying Fairtrade-labelled products even though these goods usually travel thousands of miles from all over? These foods were probably produced with the use of pesticides and additives too. When thinking about all this, it comes down to buying Fairtrade, organic food to both help the producers in the Third World and fulfill my lifestyle choice to eat healthy and additive/pesticide-free food. Thankfully, many producers are now wising up to this dilemma by increasingly producing organic and Fairtrade-labelled products. I am currently using Fairtrade, organic t-bags at home! Should I buy Fairly Traded organic sugar from Kenya that has travelled thousands of miles, or should I buy apples grown in the UK (ideally from a farmers market) that have only gone a few hundred miles which means less carbon dioxide and other nasty emissions from the lorries that you regularly see on the motorways in the UK. Buying UK products not only ensures fewer food miles but also supports local farmers, communities, and economies. Unfortunately, the choice is often limited and can be more expensive than food produced in other countries. Decisions, decisions, it’s probably best to abstain from eating and give your choice making the brain a rest.
I try very hard to avoid food or products that have traveled from far away destinations such as Australia even if they are organic. Next time you are in the supermarket or wherever you buy your food from checking the labels, and you will be surprised by how far your food has traveled. Also look at the amount of additional wrapping such as individually wrapped peppers, mushrooms, and kiwi fruit in packed boxes. For maximum eco-efficiency, we need to be using jute or other containers made from recycled materials and putting all the free food into that. For recycled bags, Fairtrade and Organic companies, products, and food see GuideMeGreen’s Green Directory.
