HERE'S HOW A TRASHLESS LUNCH COSTS $33 LESS PER MONTH THAN A DISPOSABLE LUNCH:
"DISPOSABLE" LUNCH = $4.15
PB&J sandwich $0.90
Juicebox $0.41
Prepackaged applesauce cup $0.52
Individual package of baby carrots and ranch $1.10
Individual bag of chips $1.08
Disposable sandwich baggie $0.06
Disposable spoon $0.05
Brown paper bag $0.03
"TRASHLESS" LUNCH= $2.48
PB&J sandwich in reusable baggie $0.90
Serving of juice in reusable bottle $0.20
Serving of applesauce in a reusable container $0.32
Serving of carrots and ranch in reusable containers $0.36
Serving of chips in reusable baggie $0.70
Disposable products $0.00
WANT TO START A TRASHLESS LUNCH PROGRAM AT YOUR SCHOOL?
Visit the EPA's website for some excellent information about implementing a waste-free lunch program. When paired with a Green To Go trashless lunch fundraising drive, much needed funds can be earned for your PTA! Email us to get started!
http://www.epa.gov/osw/education/lunch.htm
MORE FOOD FOR THOUGHT:
Support your local farmers and economy and shop at your local Farmers Markets.
Why buy truck-ripened produce from 1500 miles away when you can get fresh, seasonal produce grown close to home at
your Farmers Market? There are so many wonderful Farmers Markets and many feature organic
produce. Even if it's not organic, many small farms are still pesticide
free but cannot afford to become certified organic, even though they use
the same methods. Get to know your local farmers and listen to what they have
to say. In San Diego, you can visit
www.sdfarmbureau.org to find a Farmers Market in your town. J.R. Organics from Escondido has a wonderful Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program where you can pre-pay for a weekly or bi-weekly box of high-quality organic produce at a great price. Please support Joe and his wonderful team of farmers, and visit their website www.jrorganicsfarm.com .
Choose organic whenever possible. Consuming any food treated with
pesticides and synthetic fertilizers is not only bad for our
bodies but for our environment as well. This is especially important in
dairy products. Dairy cows are commonly injected with growth hormones
(RGBH) and antibiotics, which means their milk will be contaminated with these. Buy organic
dairy or at least find products that don't contain these items. This goes for chicken
eggs as well; choose free range, cage-free, organic fed birds.
Choose grass fed beef (not corn fed).
Grass is what cows are supposed to eat. They are ruminants and need to
graze to maintain health. Eating corn is unnatural and unhealthy for
their digestive systems. Thus they are injected with antibiotics and
other drugs to prevent them from getting ill. Also because of the pH
levels in their gut from all the corn, E-Coli levels are much higher
and more likely to end up on your plate. Meat from grass fed
animals has less fat and actually contains Omega-3's which are created
from cells in green plants and algae, an extremely important fatty acid
believed to play a significant role in human brain cell growth. By
eating grass fed beef you will reduce your fat intake, eliminate added
antibiotics and hormones, significantly reduce your chances of
contracting E-Coli and also increase your Omega 3 intake. Cows that are organically raised live a longer, less crowded life.
Choose wild-caught, sustainable fish species (not farm-raised). Most
farm-raised fish are fed a diet of grain (sometimes even dyed pink to
simulate a shrimp diet). You want fish that feeds on a natural diet of fish. Buying wild fish ensures that the fish is doing what fish
do: swim and eat in their natural habitat. Omega 3's are only found in fish that eat other fish, algae or phytoplankton.
Cook a meal once a
week with your children. Introduce them to the joys of
cooking and you'll be surprised at what they will eat. If they
don't like salad, have them make a salad with you and guess what...they might try it and like it! The kitchen can be a wonderful place to bond, and of course learn basic life skills on how to cook and what to eat.
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