A sustainable diet refers to a pattern of eating that promotes health and well-being for individuals while at the same time reducing the environmental impact. Eating sustainably can save you money, reduce the amount of food and other resources that are wasted, and protect the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Watch and learn more about food sustainability.

 📽️ En Español: Pregúntale al Nutricionista: Alimentación Sostenible

Small steps from each of us can add up to big changes. You can get started eating a more sustainable diet by incorporating some of these strategies into your routine.

• Plan your meals for your nutritional needs. Use MyPlate as a guide for healthy eating for all dietary needs, preferences, cultural traditions, and budgets.
• Buy and serve only what you are going to eat. It will be good for your budget and minimize food waste.
• If you have more food than you are going to eat, get creative with your leftovers or donate extra food. Find food resources from the Fairfax Food Council.
• Buy food that is grown locally or grow your own food at home or in a community garden. This can help support your local economy and reduce how far food travels. Find a farmers market near you.
• Compost food scraps to reduce food waste in landfills. The compost will enrich your garden’s soil and reduce methane emissions from landfills. You can compost at home or use other services, like at county locations and farmers markets.

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