Hello everyone! One way to brighten your days is to take on a new challenge! For 2022, the Green Initiatives Committee has developed a series of monthly challenges to help us all make some simple changes for a greener lifestyle. We are hoping that some of our ideas will interest you, because lots of us making small changes can add up to a big difference.
Autumn leaves are falling and pumpkins have been spotted around the garden. It must be October! In the spirit of the month that involves a few food-centric celebrations, the GIC is providing a few food-smart challenges to try out this month.
It is estimated that half the food that we throw away could have actually been eaten. Not only is this costly but it has many negative environmental impacts like energy waste and contributing to greenhouse gas emissions by releasing methane. However, with a few small changes and following some tips and tricks, household food waste can be greatly reduced!
Challenge #1: Try Meatless Monday’s this month. It is no secret that there is a great environmental impact of consuming meat. If everyone consumed a little less, the positive effects could make a lasting difference. Trying out one meatless meal/day per week (doesn’t have to be a Monday!) could be a fun opportunity to get creative to try out some new recipes. Google “Meatless Monday’s” to get some ideas!
Challenge #2: Take some time to visit local farmers’ markets! Cook up meals that focus on locally grown ingredients and practice a farm-to-table mentality this month. The closer to home the food comes from, the better.
Challenge #3: Meal plan this month to reduce food waste. While meal planning, shop in your home first for ingredients you can use and do not purchase duplicate items. Thanksgiving Dinner is a big food-focused event to practice meal planning for. It might be tempting to cook an abundance of dishes, but unless there is a plan for all the leftovers – keep the amount to what you would cook for everyday dinners.
Challenge #4: Practice smart food storage and properly utilize your green bin for food waste. Check out this City of Calgary page for some more specific tips: https://www.calgary.ca/waste/residential/reducing-food-waste.html
Repeat Challenge: If you have an abundance of veggies and fruits from your garden, share your harvest with your neighbors! Lastly, remember to give to the Community Pantry if you have any extra non-perishable food in your home
If you want to get involved and be a part of making Mount Pleasant a greener community, we would love to have you join the committee. Please email green@mpca.ca for more information or if you have any questions. As well, please check out our Mount Pleasant Green Initiatives Group on Facebook! You can find us on the Mount Pleasant Community Association page. The Facebook group is a great place to share your completed challenges and check in to see what others are doing.
Enjoy all the fall festivities,
The MPCA Green Initiatives Committee
