Ethical Food Supply Guide
Food sourcing that aligns with your values.
Compare sourcing methods: grocery store, local farmers, direct-from-farm, CSA, and growing your own. Real impacts on health, environment, labor, and economics.
What this covers
- Sourcing models: Conventional grocery, local farmers markets, CSA (Community Supported Agriculture), farm-to-door subscriptions, direct from farms, and growing your own.
- Real impacts: Pesticides, transport carbon, water use, soil health, labor practices, food waste, nutrient density, and cost per serving.
- Supply chain transparency: Organic, Fair Trade, Regenerative, Non-GMO, and what each certification actually means.
- Accessibility: Time, budget, space, health constraints. No shame—just realistic pathways for your situation.
Compare Food Sourcing Methods
Where your food comes from—grocery store, farmers market, CSA, or your own garden— determines pesticide exposure, transport emissions, labor conditions, and how much of your dollar reaches farmers.
What matters most to you?
Quick take: Buying directly from farmers (farmers market, CSA, farm-to-door) cuts out middlemen, reduces transport, ensures fresher food, and sends 70-100% of your dollar to the farmer. Growing even small amounts reduces transport and packaging to zero.
Sourcing Method
BetterDescription of sourcing method.
Good for
Watch out for
Real impacts
How to get started
Common Foods & Their Supply Chains
Pick a crop to see its water use, pesticide intensity, labor conditions, and where your money actually goes.
Select a crop
Crop
Water use
Pesticides
Upgrade your food choices
Tell us how you currently shop. We’ll explain hidden impacts and suggest realistic, budget-friendly alternatives.