The True Cost of Food

Introduction

The Sierra Club Sustainable Consumption Committee Mission: To encourage people to think about the environmental impacts of their consumption choices by providing specific information.

Thecampaign seeks to provoke thought and discussion about the effects of our food choices. We are not attempting to cover the topic comprehensively or to prescribe Sierra Club policy, rather we seek to promote more informed choices about how the way we eat affects our planet and our quality of life.

This is a relatively new campaign. Your suggestions for improving it are welcome.

SOME SOLUTIONS Eat more vegetables, fruit, and grains and less meat. Look for meat that is produced in the least harmful way—grass fed, organic, antibiotic- and hormone-free. Buy organic whenever you can. Buy from small, local sources whenever you can.

THE TRUE COST OF FOOD campaign is spreading the word about hidden costs in mass-produced food and about alternatives that are kinder to the planet and better for us.

You might already know a lot about the true cost of food. We're trying to reach people who don't, as well as energize the people who do. This campaign will be successful only if it spreads, if each meeting leads to more meetings, if you pass this material to someone who will become the next discussion leader.

The environmental problems caused by our eating habits can be solved—but only if a great number of consumers make an effort to solve them. Knowledge is power!