Should I Buy Fairtrade, Organic Or Local Food?

Again, I find myself torn apart with choices when deciding which is the most ethical, eco friendly and/or healthy option when it comes to shopping for food and non-food products.

Should I buy food and products that support workers in Third World by buying Fairtrade labelled products even though these goods normally travel thousands of miles from Africa, South America or South East Asia? What if these foods were produced with the use of pesticides and additives? It makes sense then to look for and to buy Fairtrade, organic food to both help the producers in the Third World and fulfil 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! Now comes another important question, 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 travelled only a few hundred miles which means less carbon dioxide and other nasty emissions from the lorries that you see constantly on the motorways in the UK? Buying UK products not only ensures less food miles but also supports local farmers, communities and economies. Unfortunately, choice is often limited and can be more expensive then food produced in other countries……… Decisions, decisions, it’s probably best to abstain from eating and give your choice making brain a rest!

But I can safely say that I make attempts to avoid food or products that have travelled 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 check the labels and you will be surprised by how far your food has travelled. Also look at the amount of unnecessary wrapping such as individually wrapped peppers, mushrooms and kiwi fruit in wrapped boxes. When I buy from the local market I tell them to throw it all into one bag, the customer next to me often has 10 individually wrapped portions of fruit and veg. That’s 11 (10 plus one big plastic bag) bags into the landfill site that day. For maximum eco efficiency we need to be using jute or other bags made from recycled materials and putting all the loose food into that.

For recycled bags, Fairtrade and Organic companies, products and food see GuideMeGreen.

About the Author:

Davinos Greeno works for the organic directory . This green directory lists 100s of Organic Food and Drink Companies and Eco Jobs and Campaigning Videos

 Davinos Greeno

More Articles 

HOT TIP: Brazilian superfood Açaí is now available online in Australia - Alexis Wilson
May 2005: Nu Fruits of the Amazon launched the açaí berry for sale direct to the Australian public online at www.nufruits.com from April 2005. Haven’t heard of açaí yet? You soon will! Pronounced ‘ah-sigh-ee’, this dark berry has been a...

Food Allergies - Steve Wilcott
An allergy can be described as a malfunction of the immune system, an exaggerated response to certain substances. Your body mistakenly believes that something it has touched, smelled or eaten is harmful to it and your body releases massive amounts...

How to Change Your Conditioned Responses to Certain Foods - Caryl Ehrlich
When trying to lose weight, there are certain foods that each person is more attracted to than other foods. Some find the morning cup of coffee quite addictive. To others it is bread. Many cannot have dinner in a restaurant without having an...

Restaurants: How to Get the Best Food and Service in Your Favorite Restaurant - Patricia Robbins
I have been a waitress for many years, working in all different kinds of places. If there is one thing I’ve learned, it is that working with the public is never dull. You really have to like people and enjoy talking to them if you’re going to...

Health Food In General And Noni - Pascal E Erdmann
All humans are addicted to the delicious taste of junk food. We crave it, dream about it, and often want it when we are on our rigorous diets. Somehow it is embedded in our brains that it is something we need. Unfortunately, these types of foods...

Kids Party Food - Nicole
Planning a kids party invovlves you thinking of so many things - games, decorations, themes, gifts and of course food. But food is not as important as you think and with a bit of careful planning it can be made as "easy as pie"!. You may be a...

Advice on choosing health food and healthy foods and reading nutrition labels - Chris Robertson
Health food doesn't need a definition, does it? We all know what health food is it's yogurt and granola, whole-grain cereal and organically grown vegetables and fruit. It's 100% natural, no preservatives or dyes, unadulterated, pure. When you put...

Italian Restaurant, Antonino's, Ranked Top In Inland Empire By Major Food Critic - Keith Hunt
“Antonino's in Rancho Cucamonga is one of those fine dining restaurants that lots of the locals know about but those outside of the area are not familiar with. It is one of the top Italian restaurants in the Inland Empire,” states Allan Borgen, ...

Food Or Diet? - Steven Cox
Some people say that "there is no such thing as a "good food" or "bad food", just bad diets". Usually after that they say something about another kind of low-fat, balanced diet which will let you reach your 100' birthday in good health. Most of...

Holiday food for thought - NC
(NC)—It's that time of year again—full of decorations, music and food. Lots of food. Office parties, family get-togethers and social events offer delectable delights and tasty treats that are difficult to resist. Be careful though. Dr....