How Shopping at Choices Supports the Health of Our Planet
With all of the challenges we face, it can be hard to consider the health of our planet in our daily lives. The good news is that just by shopping at Choices you are already making a difference.
Choices Prioritizes Organic Products
Organic food is not only good for you. It is good for the planet.
When we think of organic food, these facts come to mind:
no toxic chemicals
no GMOs
no antibiotics or synthetic growth hormones
no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives
no irradiation or sewage sludge
BUT THERE IS MORE TO THE ORGANIC CERTIFICATION! The organic standards also require that farming practices improve soil health, protect natural resources, and conserve biodiversity. All of these contribute to the health of our planet.
Check out this short video with a simple explanation on how soil health can help solve climate problems.
Choices Supports Local Farmers and Our Local Food Supply
We are dedicated to bringing the freshest, locally grown produce to our community throughout the Illinois growing season. This also supports the health of the planet because the local farmers we work with are growing all of their crops to organic standards - including improving soil health, protecting natural resources, and conserving biodiversity. Working with local farmers also reduces our carbon footprint since the distance food travels from the farm to our store is significantly less than food sourced through regular produce distributors. Plus buying from local farmers keeps the money in our community, growing our sustainable food system.
Choices Supports Community Education on Sustainable Farming
We work with the Roots & Wings program (a program through Angelic Organics Learning Center in Caledonia) raising money to invest in the Blackhawk Courts Farm & Garden. The Roots & Wings program is committed to community and youth leadership through urban agriculture. Roots & Wings grows vegetables using organic and sustainable techniques, while also motivating, educating, and inspiring youth and adults to be leaders and role models. Our young people are our future and this is especially true of solving the climate crisis. The more connected our young people are to our food system, the more connected they become to our planet.
As you can see, supporting the planet is simple when you shop at Choices.
Below are resources for reading more on climate solutions.
Organic Takes on Climate Change
Regenerative Agriculture Can Play a Key Role in Combatting the Climate Change