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Community Corner

Go Green Wilmette Hosts a Green Tea

Discussion covered the impact factory farms have on consumers and the environment.

On October 14, Christine Huszagh hosted a Green Tea as a part of Go Green Wilmette’s effort to reach out to members and the community in general. This is a gathering to socialize with a purpose: to learn more about exciting developments in local and organic food production and how we raise animals, and why it matters to the animals, the planet and ourselves.

A meeting in a GGW member’s home is perfect for in depth discussion and idea sharing. Christine has a passionate interest in the treatment of animals and is very concerned about the way animals that are raised in industrial animal factories impact the health of individuals who eat these products. The impact of factory farming on the environment is also problematic. Christine invited speaker Trish Snowden and collected and shared useful information and many helpful Web sites related to food topics.

This gathering was well attended by individuals wanting to learn more about how to make healthy food choices, and to share their successful experiences finding sources for healthy foods. Speakers Christine and Trish offered the following suggestions for providing your family with healthy food.

Tips for ways for your family to eat healthier meat products

  • Ask butchers if their meat comes from factory farms or is locally raised and processed.
  • Inquire whether the animals' diets were based on grasses or a combination of dry corn, soy and fish byproducts.
  • Ask whether their meat comes from animals that were routinely given hormones or antibiotics.
  • Inquire whether the meat is processed on site, or in a factory setting where meat from multiple animals is blended together.
  • Look for eggs and chicken from farms where animals are fed healthy diets in uncrowded settings
  • Consume less meat. Serve smaller portions; mix it with pasta, legumes or vegetables; and consider meatless Mondays.

Let store owners know that where their meat products come from matters to you. It is important to speak up. To do so helps to build a market for meat products from humanely raised, healthy animals.

10 Ways to Eat for the Earth:

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  1. Eat more whole foods, fewer processed foods.
  2. Be a vegetarian at least one day per week: www.meatlessmonday.com
  3. Buy grass-fed meat and sustainably raised fish: www.americangrassfed.org and www.seafood.audubon.org
  4. Choose organic produce: www.organicconsumers.org/organlink.cfm
  5. Eat what’s in season where you live: www.sustainabletable.org/shop/eatseasonal
  6. Grow some of your own food
  7. Eat locally grown food. If not from your own yard, how about your state, region, country or even hemisphere? www.nrdc.org/health/foodmiles
  8. Support your local farmers by joining a CSA (www.localharvest.org/csa/) or by shopping at farmers markets (www.localharvest.org/farmers-markets/)
  9. Bring your own containers to restaurants for leftovers and takeout: takeoutwithout.com
  10. Educate yourself. Watch Food, Inc. or read Animal, Vegetable, MiracleThe Omnivore’s Dilemma or In Defense of Food for inspiration.


If you would like further information, visit gogreenwilmette.org. Pleasant eating!

About this column: A bi-monthly column that features advice on environmental living from the Wilmette-based NGO, Go Green Wilmette.

Find out what's happening in Wilmette-Kenilworthwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

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