Principle 3: Reward Better Agricultural Practices

Sourcing sustainably grown foods is complex, but there is one important rule of thumb: the environmental cost of food is largely determined by how it is produced. The best farms and ranches protect and restore natural systems through effective management practices, such as choosing crops well-suited for their local growing conditions, minimizing use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, and avoiding the use of groundwater for irrigation.

Better-managed farms sometimes qualify for organic or other sustainable-farming certifications. But many— including smaller farms—simply adopt better practices. One such practice is livestock raised without the routine use of antibiotics. The most powerful strategies for supporting better farms include aligning menus to emphasize fresh foods during the peak of their local growing season and shifting purchases toward farms that have responsible management programs.