How to Eat Cleaner! Modern vs Sustainable Agriculture – What We Can do as Consumers!
What’s going on everybody?! First things first, if you’re reading this, you have found yourself on one of the site’s more significant pillar posts. This article was written as a core piece of content to help understand the broader interlays of sustainability and agriculture. I felt it important to say that, as this article will likely be updated regularly to link outward to more detailed articles on any niches/subjects mentioned here. Still, I encourage you to read to the end, as this article is more than just bad news, but a comprehensive starting point for your food independence journey! By the end of this article, you will know what’s going on with the state of agriculture in the world today, and how you can adapt and overcome these challenges to be a hero in your community!
The State of Agriculture and Food Production Today
Food and water, are the most basic elements of survival, and the most important physiological needs of humans. Whoever controls the means of production controls the people.
From harvest to distribution, agricultural production is the deciding factor in a civilization’s long-term survival.
Once the bedrock of our communities, agriculture today has fallen victim to the industrialized machine.
Farmland and associated labor have been exploited at unsustainable rates, since the turn of the industrial revolution.
Today’s agricultural landscape is dominated by large-scale monocultures and factory farms, prioritizing efficiency over quality, and we’re all paying the price for it.
The pursuit of profit has led us to mass overproduction and waste, leaving nutritious soil depleted, and biodiversity on a decline.
We have quite literally never been more disconnected from the roots of our food and the products on our shelves lack the nutrients we need.
Privatization, the Illusion of Choice, and the Impact on Personal Health
Supermarkets and groceries, paint an illusion of choice on supermarket shelves.
Rows upon rows of “different” products come from the same few large conglomerates that manipulate the global food supply chain.
A handful of corporations now control the majority of our food supply, monopolizing not just what we eat but how it’s grown and distributed.
Corporate control stifles sustainable innovation in farming, and limits the variety of actual food available to consumers, we are left with cheap mass-produced byproducts.
This corporate consolidation doesn’t just impact what’s on our plates—it affects our health, too.
Our options are limited to ultra-processed foods that are nutrient-poor and calorie-dense. Additives, preservatives, and artificial ingredients are designed for long shelf lives rather than nutritional value.
This means we are basically just eating filler,
and it is contributing to the mass rise in diet-related diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.
The illusion of choice is detrimental not only to our environment but also to our well-being.
| Category | Chemical /Additive | Health Issue | Key Study/Statistic | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Artificial Food Dyes | Tartrazine, Sunset Yellow, Sodium Benzoate | ADHD, Hyperactivity | Artificial colors linked to increased hyperactivity in children; UK recommended removal from children’s products | EFSA Review (2007), University of Southampton Study |
| Pesticides | Organo-phosphates | Neurodevelopmental Issues, IQ Decline | Prenatal exposure linked to a 7-point IQ decrease in children | University of California, Berkeley (2011) |
| Processed Foods | Emulsifiers, Stabilizers, Preservatives | Depression, Anxiety | 33% increased likelihood of depression with processed food consumption | JAMA Psychiatry (2022) |
| Artificial Sweeteners | Aspartame | Stroke, Dementia, Depression | Associated with a higher risk of stroke and dementia | American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2017) |
| Trans Fats | Partially Hydrogenated Oils (Trans Fats) | Cognitive Decline, Dementia | Higher trans fat levels increased dementia risk by 52% | Neurology (2019) |
| Endocrine Disruptors | Bisphenol A (BPA) | Hormone Disruption, Anxiety, Depression | BPA exposure linked to higher rates of anxiety and depression in adolescents | Environmental Health (2021) |
Please feel free to reach out with any fact checks or additional information! 🙂
The Toll of Overproduction and Food Waste
While food insecurity still plagues millions around the world, food waste levels have reached staggering levels. Nearly one-third of all food produced is wasted worldwide, translating to billions of tons of edible food thrown away annually.
Overproduction not only drives up waste costs but environmental costs as well; water, energy, labor, and transportation. Meanwhile, farmers are often caught in a cycle of overproducing to meet the demands of retailers, only for surplus food to go unsold, sometimes before even leaving the farm.
It’s an inefficient system that shows how far we’ve strayed from healthy methods that respect the land’s natural limits.
The impact of industrialized agriculture is just as alarming as its effect on our health. Monoculture farms that dominate our food system require enormous amounts of water, synthetic fertilizers, and chemical pesticides to maintain their yields.
This approach may provide short-term productivity, but the long-term costs are devastating.
According to the United Nations, about 33% of the world’s soil is already degraded. Should current trends continue, nearly 90% of Earth’s topsoil could be at risk by 2050.
Additionally, agriculture is a major contributor to climate change.
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) estimates that agriculture accounts for 19-29% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
From livestock production to deforestation for farmlands, the use of synthetic fertilizers, heavy reliance on these practices accelerates climate change and contaminates freshwater resources, at an unsustainable rate.
For instance, the production of a single kilogram of beef can require up to 15,000 liters of water, making meat production one of the most water-intensive activities on the planet.
Moving Toward a Sustainable Future
THE GOOD NEWS
is that alternatives to this destructive system exist.
Sustainable farming practices, such as regenerative agriculture, agroforestry, and various permaculture techniques, offer scalable solutions that can restore the balance between food production and environmental health.
These methods focus on enhancing biodiversity, improving soil health, and reducing dependency on synthetic inputs, all while producing the nutrient-dense food we need.
Regenerative agriculture emphasizes rebuilding organic matter in the soil and sequestering carbon, helping to mitigate climate change.
According to the Rodale Institute, if regenerative practices were adopted on a global scale, agriculture could sequester more than 100% of current annual CO2 emissions.
This transformative potential could reshape our food system into one that benefits both people and the planet.
Additionally, choosing local, organic, and sustainably produced foods, can reduce our reliance on the industrial food complex and support farming practices that prioritize health and the environment.
By shifting our habits, supporting sustainable practices, and becoming more mindful of where our food comes from, we can drive meaningful change for our health, our communities, and the planet.
Before I wrap up this post, I want to include this brief list of basic tips for identifying healthier choices in the market, #7 is my favorite!
| 1. Checking Labels | – Short ingredient list: Fewer, recognizable ingredients typically indicate less processed foods. – Avoiding added sugars: Watch for sugars like high fructose corn syrup, cane sugar, or any “syrup.” Be wary of hidden sugars (often ending in “-ose,” like dextrose, and sucrose). – No artificial additives: Avoid artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives like monosodium glutamate (MSG), nitrates, or trans fats (partially hydrogenated oils). |
| 2. Shop for Whole Foods | – Unprocessed or minimally processed: Fresh fruits, vegetables, lean meats, whole grains, and nuts are often healthier than highly processed options. – Whole grains: Opt for foods labeled “100% whole grain” or “whole wheat” instead of refined grains like white bread or pasta. |
| 3. Nutritional Information | – Low sugar, sodium, and unhealthy fats: Compare brands for those lower in sugars, sodium, and trans or saturated fats. – High fiber, protein, and essential nutrients: Look for high-fiber foods (like whole grains) and those with a balance of protein and healthy fats (like omega-3s from fish). |
| 4. Organic vs Non-GMO | – Organic produce: Less exposure to pesticides and no synthetic fertilizers. Look for the USDA Organic label. – Non-GMO: Non-GMO products haven’t been genetically modified, which some prefer for health and environmental reasons. |
| 5. Choose Local or Seasonal Produce | – Local produce: Tends to be fresher and may retain more nutrients since it doesn’t travel long distances, also reducing transportation emissions. – Seasonal fruits and vegetables: Often have more nutrients and flavor harvested at peak ripeness, and encourage natural harvesting cycles. |
| 6. Understanding Health Claims on Packaging | – Certified labels: Look for third-party certifications like “Certified Organic,” “Fair Trade,” or “Rainforest Alliance Certified” for sustainability and health benefits. – Watch for deceptive marketing: Terms like “natural,” “low-fat,” or “gluten-free” don’t always mean healthy. Read ingredients and nutrition facts rather than relying on front-package claims. |
| 7. Shop the Perimeter | – Supermarkets typically put the whole fresh foods around the outer edges; produce, dairy, meats, and fish . Processed, shelf-stable foods are usually in the center aisles, so sticking to the perimeter can help you avoid unnecessary unhealthy options. |
| 8. Fresh over Canned or Frozen (when possible) | Whenever possible, fresh fruits, vegetables, and meats are usually the healthiest options. If choosing canned or frozen, opt for those without excessive added salts, sugars, or preservatives. |
| 9. Healthy Fats & Oils | Choose foods made with healthy fats like olive oil, avocado oil, or coconut oil. Avoid those with trans fats or highly processed oils like canola or soybean oil. |
| 10. Organic or Grass-Fed Animal Products | Dairy and meat: Grass-fed or pasture-raised meats and organic dairy typically have higher omega-3s and fewer antibiotics or hormones. It also indirectly supports sustainable farming practices rather than industrialized methods. |
Bonus: Making Money With Sustainable Agriculture – From Consumers to Producers: Becoming Micro-Producers
One of the biggest messages I want to get across to entrepreneurs and business owners at any point in their journey, is how making money with sustainability is a surefire way to increase the longevity and potential for success!
Even in agriculture, there’s a huge shift happening—one that goes beyond just being a conscientious consumer.
More and more individuals are discovering the joy and empowerment of becoming micro-producers, growing their food, and sharing it within their communities.
Whether it’s a small herb garden on a windowsill or a garage full of microgreens, growing food at home is a step toward self-sufficiency and sustainability.
Conclusion
That wraps it up for this post. My name is Vance and I just want to remind / encourage / and inspire you all to start your own sustainable journey!
It doesn’t have to be as big as starting a farm, but even something as simple as supporting a farm can create waves of change!
Stick around and follow us online to get more sustainable content scaled for you!
Brought to you by Vance and Studio 17!
