..the plight of the eco-conscious consumer
Grocery shopping is not an easy experience. Stores like Safeway overwhelm me. With its wide aisles, huge product array, towering displays, and blindingly colorful packaging I often feel liked I'm under assault as I search for familiar goods. Large grocery chains confront us with having to make hundreds of editing decisions as they bombard us with shelf talkers, promo cards, end-aisle displays, and brand choices---and for those of us who are consciously trying to be sustainable - it's hell!
Being a Celiac I'm a label junky but as I scan the ingredients list for any hint of wheat product or byproduct, I'm now also trying to measure the carbon footprint of every item. Concerns literally flood my brain as I try and weigh in on all of the decisions...
- It is better to shop locally or organically?
- Packaging has a second life! What's the best bet?
- Oh crap! I forgot my bags again!
In order to try and make things a little easier on myself, I've adopted a few tactics that help make for a more pleasant shopping experience:
1) Shop at small fine grocers such as Real Foods, Thom's or Bryan's - I actually appreciate a fine grocer who makes editing decisions for me by displaying only a few excellent products vs. hundreds of crappy ones.
2) Establish memory joggers for bringing your own bags - this is one that I still struggle with but basically, I leave the reusable shopping bags outside of my apartment door so when I go out, they're right in front of me. If they're stowed in my closet I never remember. I also try and leave a few in my car.
3) If it comes in a package, skip it (when possible) - this one is a toughie I know. For example, juice that comes in a carton can also have a plastic dispenser. To recycle the container, you also must cut out and remove the plastic piece, drop that in your blue recycling bin and now toss the remaining carton into your compost bin. It's kind of a pain so I try and buy glass containers when possible.
4) Read shelf talkers - I love that Real Foods now ID's their gluten-free products with shelf-talkers making it really easy for me to make a strategic strike for friendly foods.
5) Be a label junky - again, if you're shopping in a health food store chances are they aren't carrying a product line with a bunch of unhealthy additives. But if you are buying an unfamiliar product, just be sure to read the label first.
In the end, I'd rather be conscious than not, but Kermit the Frog got it right when he sang -
.