CRFS Connections

Connections Modules

Food

Overview

Food consumption has a huge impact on the environment. Almost all of your favorite foods whether it be kale, peanuts, shrimp, or cheese, contribute to the global climate crisis. Half of the world’s habitable land, and 70% of global freshwater is used for agriculture. However, no food has the impact that meat (beef and lamb) production does. If we combine pastures used for grazing with land used to grow crops for animal feed, livestock accounts for 77% of global farming land. While livestock takes up most of the world’s agricultural land it only produces 18% of the world’s calories and 37% of total protein.

An increase in plastic use, seen as more consumers look for convenient packaging options, is overwhelming the ecosystem. Most of the plastic containers used for food packaging and storage do not biodegrade. Over time they break down into tiny pieces called microplastics. Microplastics have been found in every corner of the globe, from the top of Mount Everest to our National Parks here in the United States (Small Plastic, Big Problem). The consumption of these Microplastics has caused the death of millions of fish, birds, and land animals.

Land use per kg graph

Food at the Field Station

Visitors to the field station are introduced to key concepts in sustainability and conservation during their initial orientation. Visitors are encouraged to discard their food scraps (fruits, vegetables, dairy products, grains, bread, unbleached paper napkins, coffee filters, eggshells, meats) in a compost bin located in the kitchen. The bin is then emptied into a larger composting drum outside, where leaves and grass are added to create usable composting soil for garden beds. Additionally, prior to departure, visitors are informed of their total garbage production while visiting the station. This creates further discussion of how our food consumption and packaging impacts the world around us and encourages visitors to be more mindful of their use when they return home.

Compost

Food and You

Three ways to make sustainable food choices at home.

  • Reduce or eliminate your consumption of meat and dairy. Meat and dairy are the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, and land and water use.
  • Go zero-waste. Reduce your food waste, by buying only what you need and using your meal leftovers. Choose non-packaged foods over packaged foods. And when necessary choose foods that are packaged in recyclable containers. Compost your food scraps.
  • Choose locally grown food. Food is typically transported over 1000 miles before it ends up on you plate. Buy from local farmers markets or grow your own food garden.

Learn more about gardening in Utah: Utah State University Agriculture and Garden Extension

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