10 Everyday Tips to Keep Our Planet Healthy

We can always use a friendly reminder that the earth is our home, and we should do everything we can to treat it as best we can. Below are 10 simple easy tips that you and your family can follow to help make the earth a healthier place.

1. Conserve Water- This is especially important in areas that are prone to drought. The little things count here – turn the sink off when brushing your teeth, take shorter showers, and forego the carwash.
2. Walk or Bike- Other than these options being a great form of exercise, staying off of the road helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions more than you’d think.
3. Recycle- By placing your plastic bottle in the correct container, you are helping to reduce pollution. Recycling goes beyond glass, paper and tinfoil. Don’t forget to properly recycle your used batteries, electronics, and hazardous waste to the appropriate recycling centers near you.
4. Compost- Composting is a great way to reduce the amount of solid waste your household produces each year, therefore taking up less space in landfills and providing great nutrients for your garden.
5. BYOB- Bring your own bag! When shopping at the farmers market, grocery store, or even the mall, it’s best to bring your own bag to reduce the use of plastic bags.
6. Go Paperless- By switching to electronic billing statements, you are reducing the amount of paper being used and savings trees.
7. Donate- Before throwing away clothing, shoes and household items, think if someone else could put it to use. It’s easy to donate these items to charitable organizations.
8. Clean Without Toxins- Swap out toxic, heavy duty cleaning supplies for “green” cleaning products. You can even save money and make your own by using household items like vinegar, lemon and baking soda!
9. Plant A Tree- Trees help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, cleans pollution, and provides shade, so get out there and plant a tree. And if you don’t have space for a tree, simply plant smaller flowers!
10. Educate Yourself- Make a commitment to educate yourself about the environment and how you can protect it. Head to your local library, or join a local group. Even small changes help!

Farmers Market 101: Market Faux-Pas

We’ve already discussed our top tips and tricks to get the most of your farmers’ market experience. Next up is our advice for what not to do at the market! Every market is different and unique, but these tips go for all markets across the board. Being mindful of the following will make each and every farmers’ market that more enjoyable for everyone! Here are our top 5 no-no’s:

1. Don’t over bargain: Bargains are all around the farmers’ market. From free samples, rounding down of transaction totals and the occasional free extra piece of produce, generosity abounds. Be grateful and don’t try to take advantage of the generous and casual nature of your farmers. They work extremely hard to provide the freshest and most nutritious food, and deserve every penny, which represents an investment in your community and local food system.
2. Don’t be in a rush: Life is sometimes crazy, and we understand that we live in a fast paced environment. However, one of the main charms of a farmers’ market is its slow, leisurely place. It’s an outdoor area meant for community gathering and relaxation, so give yourself time to walk around, talk to farmers and neighbors, and pick your perfect produce.
3. Don’t litter: Samples often come with a toothpick or mini cup. Avoid the easy temptation to toss it (or the remains of that strawberry top) on the ground. Be respectful to the market and the earth by placing trash in the bins.
4. Don’t be above market regulations: Market staff loves your pet but we have a duty to make sure the market is compliant with all health and agriculture department regulations. Don’t get upset when we ask you to obey them too. Unfortunately, pets are currently not allowed. Your pet is adorable but if it comes in contact with a vendor’s produce that vendor must toss it out, resulting in a loss of income.