Shop at the local market

Lake Turkana, Kenya
Photograph by Philippe Bourseiller

Three quarters of the edible varieties of produce that were cultivated at the beginning of the twentieth century have disappeared. Today's fruits and vegetables, which have survived the race to increase productivity, are mostly hybrid varieties chosen for their ability to withstand the various demands of mechanized farming and product distribution. Picked prematurely and ripened artificially, once they are on the shelf. their appearance is almost perfect - and generally hides their lack of flavor and nutritional value. The produce in a supermarket is generally sourced from large, intensive factory farms that squeeze smaller farmers out of business.

Buy your fruit and vegetables in the market, from local producers. You will be supporting the local economy and your purchase will be environmentally friendly, because they involve less transport and packaging and therefore less waste and pollution. They will taste better, too.

- from the book '365 Ways to Save the Earth' by Philippe Bourseiller.