Do you go out of your way to find sustainable seafood to dish up onto your dinner table? If so, you should take the same care in finding sustainable foods that round out the rest of your meals.

Healthy food choices for our own well-being are wonderful, but if we don’t think about the effect we have on our planet, we’re not serving our children (and their children) well for the future. By choosing sustainable foods, we’re helping lessen the impact on the environment and leaving it in better condition for those who will live here long after we’re gone.

Going organic is one way to cut down on that carbon footprint, but it still uses a lot of water. Locally-grown foods are another way to make smart and sustainable choices because they reduce fossil fuel consumption as well as excessively elaborate packaging for transport, which usually winds up clogging the garbage dumps.

Looking for some sustainable foods to try that come from the land? Add these to your cart instead.

Grasses

Think beyond your front lawn and you’ll find things like barley, wheat, rice, oats, and buckwheat. These things take minimal amounts of water to produce. Buckwheat is resistant to drought. Choosing heirloom varieties are sturdier than GMO choices and they can hold their own against pests and get by with just a little water.

Beans and peas

Beans and peas aren’t just good for you; they’re good for the world. They fix nitrogen by taking the inert gases in the air and converting them into ammonium. This enriches the soil. Choosing these(including lentils and peanuts) can restore nitrogen to the soil and eliminate the dependence on fossil fuel fertilizers. Plus, they’re rich in nutrients like amino acids, vitamins, minerals, fiber, and proteins.

Green leafy vegetables

Kale and spinach aren’t just superfoods for you; they’re also superfoods for the world. They grow very fast in just about any climate and provide minimal impact on the environment.

Olives and pomegranates

You might not think either of these have anything in common, but they are both ancient tree fruits. Plus, they are well-suited for drought-like conditions. Even with a lack of water, olive and pomegranate trees can still produce plentiful, highly-nutritious fruits.

Bison

And finally, for those that don’t want to give up meat, bison is a better choice. Bison engage in group grazing. They feed and fertilize the soil naturally, and by doing so, restore the ecosystem. When naturally-reared, these glorious creatures can do so much for sustaining the environment.

Whenever you can, look for sustainable ways to put food on your table. Sustainable choices are always labeled, plus you can contact your local farmers and find out how you can get more fresh, sustainable foods for your family.