Food

If everyone in America went vegetarian just for one day, the U.S. would prevent greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 1.2 million tons of carbon dioxide, as much as is produced by all of France, The U.S. would also save:

• 100 billion gallons of water, enough to supply all the homes in New England for almost four months
• 1.5 billion pounds of crops otherwise fed to livestock, enough to feed the state of New Mexico for more than a year
• 70 million gallons of gas, enough to fuel all the cars of Canada and Mexico
• 33 tons of antibiotics

Consider Meatless Meals one day each week. If you replace meat with vegetarian meals one day a week, credit yourself for 700 pounds of CO2 reduction per year. Lowering the amount of meat you consume also lowers your risk for chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and some cancers.

Buying local or growing your own food can reduce the energy needed to transport produce by 1,000 miles or more.  Support local farmers by shopping at Brookline Farmers' Market.  The market, located in the Centre Street parking lot, runs from June to October and is open Thursdays 1:30 pm to dusk, rain or shine.

Bountiful Brookline was Created in the spring of 2009, Bountiful Brookline promotes growing food and providing access to healthy fresh food throughout our community. We are working to create a sustainable local food system to benefit everyone in Brookline.

Allandale Farm, Brooklines last working farm, is another source of locally grown produce. The farm offers a Community Supported Agriculture program where consumers purchase a share of the coming season's harvest. Shares for 2010 will be available in January.

Interested in composting? Contact Ed Gilbert, Brookline's Department of Public Works, who works with the Solid Waste Advisory Committee. The DPW offers compost bins and rain barrels at a reduced price.