Cool Foods Campaign: Budget and Environmentally Friendly

Filed in archive From Garden to Table , Holidays , Shopping , Web Resources on December 21, 2008

This holiday season, check out the Center for Food Safety's tips and information on how to celebrate the festivities in an environmentally friendly manner. The "Cool Foods Campaign" helps you plan your meals around foods that require the lowest possible greenhouse gas emissions in their cultivation. Some eco-tips that are good not just for your pocket, but for the environment as well:

1. Buy in bulk and stock up in essentials such as nuts, beans, dried fruits, chocolates and baking supplies.
2. Opt for whole and real foods, instead of processed or overly refined foods.
3. Recycle leftovers!
4. Aside from foods, pick locally grown trees.
5. Use edible decorations such as popcorn, bowls of cranberries or mantles which can be eaten or composted after the holidays are over.

Check out some of the cool recipes, too, courtesy of two of the top sustainable chefs: Dan Barber of Blue Hill and Nora Pouillon of Restaurant Nora (America's first certified organic restaurant). Let them inspire your holiday meal planning!