The Ultimate Guide To Finding Sustainable Grains
Today, sustainability is at the center of every discourse regarding the environment. As research continues to point to plant-based eating as the most environmentally sound diet, an emphasis has been placed on grains. From farm to table, grains have a tremendous impact on the planet.
Fortunately, sustainable grains are widely diverse and accessible to source, available in stores, online and at your local farmers market. However, you may wonder why eating sustainable grains is best and how to determine if what you’re buying is beneficial for the Earth. This guide will help you get started.Â
Why Source Sustainable Grains?
Grains have long been the most critical crops in the world, a vital part of the global food supply. Considering the population has grown eightfold since 1800 to 8 billion people in 2019, farmers have had to ramp up grain production to feed everyone.
Research shows 800 million people currently do not meet nutritional needs — this comes as the population is expected to reach 11 billion by 2100. Much of the agricultural sector has integrated genetically modified organisms (GMOs) into its practices to meet the requirements.
While yields have increased, GMOs leave the soil infertile and cause herbicide-resistant weeds. In fact, 17 weed species resist such solutions in the U.S., making them more widespread. Additionally, using GMOs has led to greater deforestation as pasture land becomes unfavorable for growing crops.
A more environmentally sound and healthier alternative is to source sustainably grown and harvested grains.
How Do You Know if Grains Are Sustainable?
Knowing how to determine whether grains are sustainable is straightforward. Your best bet is to look for certifications on the packaging, such as organic labeling from the U.S. Department of Agriculture or the Non-GMO Project.
Aside from being certified, you should consider each grain’s environmental impact from germination to harvesting. For instance, Proso millet has the lowest water requirement among all grains in the United States. Meanwhile, einkorn, spent and emmer are all drought-tolerant grain crops, while ancient and heirloom grains can withstand fluctuating weather conditions.
Grains, a cornerstone of plant-based diets, can also contribute to a 75% reduction in agricultural land use.
6 Places You Can Find Sustainable Grains
It’s possible you never noticed sustainable grains are right in front of you. Almost every store will carry environmentally friendly grain products for your favorite meals. Check out these six places where you can source a variety of organic, eco-friendly grains.Â
1. Farmers’ Markets
Farmers’ markets are some of the best places to find sustainable goods, including whole and ground grain varieties. Local farmers usually use organic practices, carefully harvesting, storing and transporting their yields safely.Â
Their process includes sourcing seeds from reputable sellers, testing for soil fertility and storing the grains when they reach about 15% moisture for optimal freshness and food quality. This means you bring home only the best, most sustainable grains for cooking.Â
Additionally, farmers’ market products don’t have to travel long distances, cutting transportation emissions usually associated with conventional food processing and distribution.
2. Community-Supported Agriculture
Community-support agriculture (CSA) is a partnership between farmers and consumers. In CSAs, you can purchase a share of diverse farm goods in advance and receive freshly harvested products throughout the growing season.
CSAs often prioritize sustainable agriculture, meaning most products are organic. Like farmers’ markets, grain products are grown and transported locally.Â
3. Health Food Stores
Health food stores often carry a wide selection of sustainable grains. Whether you go to a large whole-food supermarket or a small shop, you can usually find organic, ancient and heirloom varieties.Â
These specialty food stores generally offer unique brands and allow you to purchase grains in bulk, including quinoa, millet, brown rice, oats and barley.
4. Online Retailers
E-commerce has made sourcing sustainable grains easier than ever. According to a 2022 U.S. Department of Agriculture study, 19.3% of Americans shopped for groceries online within a month — 44.7% did so three or more times.Â
Nowadays, many big-name sellers — like Amazon, Whole Foods and Thrive Market — sell a wide selection of goods online. Some retailers offer membership benefits to help you save money on products and shipping. Just be sure to read the product description to determine if the item is organic or GMO-free.Â
5. Self-Ground Grains
If you’re really ambitious, you might decide to grind your own grains at home. Using a grind mill or coffee grinder, you start by choosing the whole-grain version of your desired flour. Typically, you can adjust the coarseness depending on how fine or coarse you want it.Â
Add the grain to the mill and turn it on — some people run it through twice to get a finer flour. Of course, treating each grain differently according to its intended use is crucial.Â
6. Ask an Expert
When in doubt, ask an expert — this could be the farmers’ market seller or a grocery store staff member. These individuals should have a wealth of knowledge regarding sustainable grains and be able to educate and advise you on the most eco-friendly options.Â
Researching grains online can also give you the answers you’re looking for. If you know a sustainable grain brand, look at its website to determine its agricultural processes and environmental impact. This will help you make more informed purchasing decisions.
Eat Sustainable Grains to Help the Earth
Grains are essential to one’s diet and will continue to be a critical component of the global food supply. Incorporating sustainable grains into your diet is seamless, when you know where to look for them. Fortunately, the more people source sustainable grains, the better their impact on the environment will be.Â
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