FRESH new thinking about what we are eating

1. Drink Plenty of Water, but AVOID bottled water when you can. It pollutes the environment and is often just bottled tap water. Plastic is harmful to your health and to the environment. Buy a reusable water bottle and invest in a good water filter.

2. AVOID GMO (Genetically Modified Organisms)! When buying processed food (anything packaged) BUY ORGANIC TO AVOID GMO (since almost all the soy, corn and canola in the US is genetically modified, over 70% of all processed food contain GMO's from by-products of these grains)

3.BUY LOCAL PRODUCTS when possible, otherwise buy organic and fair trade products. you will support your local economy and small farmers, reduce your exposure to harmful pesticides, improve the taste and quality of your food and protect the environment from pesticide and fertilizer runoffs. Shop at your local farmers market, join a CSA ( Community Supported Agriculture) and get weekly deliveries of the season's harvest, and buy from local grocers and co-ops that are committed to stocking local foods.

4. SUPPORT RESTAURANTS AND FOOD VENDORS THAT BUY LOCALLY PRODUCED FOOD. When at a restaurant ask (nicely) your waiter where the meat and fish comes from. Eventually as more and more customers ask the same question they will get the message!

5. VOLUNTEER and or financially support and organization dedicated to promoting a sustainable food system. and STAY INFORMED by joining the e-mail lists of local advocacy groups that you trust.

6. GET INVOLVED IN YOUR COMMUNITY! Influence what your child eats by engaging in the school board, effect city policies by learning about zoning and attending city council meetings, learn about the federal policies that effect your food choice and let your congress person know what you think.

7. VISIT A FARM, grow a garden, volunteer in your community garden and teach a child how to grow a garden. GET DIRTY and HAVE FUN

8.SHARE YOUR PASSION! Talk to your friends and family about why our food choice matters. ORGANIZE another FRESH screening

9. TEACH BY EXAMPLE. Your children learn from you-teach them the value of buying local and buying healthy. Our earth, health and ecology are hurting NOW because of the industrial food system, and if we don't take action and start the healing process, the effects are going to be catastrophic and perhaps irreversible for our children.

10. COOK Our culture has forgotten the joys of cooking. Not only is it better for you and saves money it is an invaluable skill to pass on to your children.