Sustainable Eating: A Guide For Eco-Friendly Food Choices

Fresh, nutritious, healthy, and environment-friendly. That is how wonderful it is when you whip up eco-friendly eating habits in your daily lifestyle. You see, sustainable eating isn’t just a buzzword it’s when you consciously consider what you put in your body and lower impact on our planet’s ecosystem. Our food system contributes to one-third of greenhouse emissions, no wonder eco-friendly & re-inventive farming is definitely a key to our Earth’s future. That’s why it’s a huge part of our values here at Primo to not only eat high-quality foods but to be mindful of how we enjoy life. In this sustainable eating guide, you’ll learn how simple it is to go eco-friendly with your food choices, and we’ll share some of our favorite recipes so you can improve your personal health and the environment.

Simple eating habits 

Don’t know where to start your sustainable eating journey? No worries! Making the conscious switch is easy breezy as 1, 2, 3. So you can make a positive impact on both your health and the planet. And the best part? It’s simpler than you might think! Here are three easy habits you can start incorporating into your daily routine to find eco-friendly food:

Look for the right labels

When grocery shopping, keep an eye out for eco-friendly food choices that are labeled with certification logos such as:

• Green Seal Certification
• Certified B Corporation (B Corp)
• Fair Trade Certified
• Non-GMO Project Verified
• USDA Organic

These certifications ensure that the product meets specific standards for sustainability and environmental impact. However, be cautious of products that make vague claims like “green,” “eco-friendly,” “organic,” “sustainable,” “non-toxic,” “all-natural,” and so on. While it may sound promising, if there’s no certification to back up the claim, there’s a high chance that the product is using greenwashing tactics to appear more eco-friendly than it actually is. That’s why it’s best to take the extra step to avoid being misled and do your research via a third-party source to ensure it genuinely meets sustainable standards.

Shop locally and sustainably

Take advantage of the easy access you have to fresh & local products at local farmers’ markets. If you’re unsure of how sustainable the food is grown and how the animals are raised, always ask. Look for farmers who use eco-friendly practices:

• Non-pesticides or harmful chemicals
• Minimize land & water impact
• Animals are on a natural diet & humanely cared for

By supporting local farmers, you’re not only reducing the negative impact of transportation on the environment but also promoting sustainable and ethical farming practices. Talking about farmer’s markets, did you know we sell our products at 2 farmers’ markets? Along with finding fresh and local produce, come find us at the below locations:

1. Douglass Loop Farmers’ Market

• Open now through Dec. 16, 2023
  • 10 am – 2 pm
• 2005 Douglass Blvd
  • At the Douglass Boulevard Christian Church parking lot.

2. St. Matthews Farmers’ Market

• Opening Day: May 13th
  • May 13 – Sept 30, 2023
  • 8 am – 12 pm
• 4100 Shelbyville Road
  • At the Beargrass Christian Church parking lot

Come say hello to us and support your local farmers!

Upgrade your lifestyle

With the above in mind it’s a cakewalk to live with these 5 sustainable eating tips:  1. Eat locally sourced foods. Now who doesn’t want fresher, tastier, and healthier food? Not only does it support your local farmers and economy, but it also reduces the carbon footprint associated with long-distance transportation. So ideally, look for food that’s sourced within 100 miles of your location. This ensures you’re getting the best quality produce possible while reducing the impact on the environment. And you might even discover some new favorite foods and flavors that are unique to your region! 2. Only buy what you need and will eat to avoid food waste. Plan your meals ahead of time and make a shopping list and stick to it, avoiding the temptation of overbuying. Else you’ll end up having to throw away food. Which is the opposite of what we want. 3. If you do have food waste, use a compost bin. We’re human after all so we’re not going to get everything down to a tee like a mad scientist. In this case, we can make a position twice by turning your food scraps into nutrient-rich soil that can be used to grow more food. 4. Consider starting your own garden. Even if you have limited space, you can grow herbs, tomatoes, peppers, and other small plants in pots or on a windowsill. Bonus points if you use that compost nutrient-rich soil! (see tip 3) 5. Eat seasonal foods only. This reduces the negative impact of transportation on our Earth and delights our taste buds. No more uninspiring, out-of-season produce that loses its quality as it’s been shipped from faraway lands!

Sustainable Eating Recipes

You’re one step closer to eating sustainably. Are you ready to satisfy your hunger & taste buds with some eco-friendly recipes? It’s time to turn on the heat! But before you start whipping up a storm in the kitchen, keep these 7 tips in mind when you’re searching for & using your ingredients:

1. Choose organic and sustainably-raised chicken or other lean meats for your protein.
2. Try plant-based protein options for a healthier and more sustainable meal.
3. Use locally sourced honey and balsamic vinegar for a flavorful punch. Check out our shop for these items!
4. Cook with energy-efficient methods like the air fryer to reduce your carbon footprint.
5. Opt for reusable or biodegradable packaging — because less is always more!
6. Always use seasonal vegetables to get the best flavor and reduce your environmental impact.
7. Reduce food waste when possible by using vegetable scraps in your dishes

Now, it’s time to get cooking!

Appetizers/Salad

Balsamic Cucumber Salad — Refreshing, light, and simple to make.

• Ingredients: Primo’s Garlic Olive Oil, Primo’s Denissimo Balsamic Vinegar, kosher salt, ground black pepper, avocado, Persian cucumbers, arugula, cherry tomatoes, and radish

Sweet Potato Crostinis with Red Apple Balsamic and Basil EVOO — A quick and flavorful side dish.

• Ingredients: Sweet potatoes, Primo Basil Olive Oil, Primo Red Apple Balsamic Vinegar, Kosher salt, ground pepper, gorgonzola cheese, walnuts (or pecans), rosemary leaves, honey, and optional – dried cranberries

Mango Cucumber Salsa — A sweet and savory great addition to any party.

• Ingredients: Firm-ripe mango, English cucumber, scallion, cilantro leaves, sweet red bell pepper, fresh orange juice, Primo Serrano Honey Vinegar, and Primo Persian Lime EVOO

Orzo Pasta Salad — A nutritious and fresh salad to satisfy any curving.

• Ingredients: Orzo, cherry (or grape) tomatoes, zucchini, summer squash, small mozzarella balls, chiffonade of fresh basil, toasted pine nuts, Primo Grapefruit Balsamic Vinegar, fresh garlic, fresh lemon juice, kosher salt, freshly ground black pepper, and Primo Arbequina Olive Oil

Main Dishes

Vegetarian Paella — A healthy, hearty and absolutely delicious meal that even meat lovers will enjoy!

• Ingredients: Primo’s Madagascar Black Pepper Olive Oil, cauliflower, salt, green beans, red bell pepper, tomato paste, garlic, smoked paprika, saffron threads, dry sherry, rice, butter beans, vegetable broth, and lemon

Basil Parmesan Zoodles — A light main dish that packs a punch of flavor and an instant summer favorite.

• Ingredients: Zucchini, Primo’s Garlic Olive Oil, Primo’s Basil Olive Oil, tomatoes, parmigiano-reggiano, fresh basil, and salt/pepper

Air Fryer Balsamic Honey Chicken Thighs — A sweet mouth-watering finger-licking meal for any Air Fryer lover.

• Ingredients: Primo’s Toasted Sesame Seed Oil, Primo’s Fig Balsamic Vinegar, garlic, garlic salt, ground black pepper, boneless skinless chicken thighs, and Savannah Bee company acacia honey

Desserts

Apple Balsamic-Glazed Cake — This sweet treat is just what the doctor ordered!

• Ingredients: Egg yolks. sour cream, vanilla extract, flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, nutmeg, softened butter, apple juice, Primo’s Gravenstein Apple Balsamic Vinegar, cinnamon, and granny smith apples

Blood Orange Brownie — A scrumptious treat you’ll want to hide or if you feel like sharing, a great addition to any party or event.

• Ingredients: Ghirardelli brownie mix, orange juice, Primo’s Blood Orange Olive Oil, and an egg

Sally’s Pecan-Orange Baklava — This absolutely decadent dessert will make your family overjoyed for more.

• Ingredients: Lavender honey, cinnamon sticks, sugar, bourbon, raw pecans, ground cinnamon, orange zest, sheets of fresh (or frozen) phyllo pastry, and unsalted butter

Strawberry & Balsamic Sorbet — Cool yourself off and your strawberry curving with this sweet, juicy and delicious sorbet.

• Ingredients: Strawberries, Primo’s Balsamic Vinegar, sugar, and water

  Congratulations! You’ve made it to the end of our guide. Sustainable eating is not just a fad diet because one-third of greenhouse emissions are contributed by the food industry. So by being environmentally conscious we can have a positive impact on our planet’s ecosystem with one bite at a time. And with Earth Day around the corner, there’s no better time to level up our routines and make the commitment to our daily lifestyle! You see here at Primo, we understand the importance of eating mindfully and well. Now you have the power to do so with easy-to-follow tips to take the next step. But if you’re drooling for more recipes, visit our website and Pinterest page for a delicious dose of inspiration. Together, let’s make a difference this Earth Day and every day through the effortless choices we make when it comes to the food we eat.