Alright, it’s time we talk about some of the most misleading words in the food industry: “natural” and “sustainable.” These days, it feels like everything has one of those words slapped on the label. Pick up a bag of chips, and suddenly they’re “all-natural.” Look at a plastic bottle and, wouldn’t you know it, it’s “sustainable.” But does any of this actually mean something? Spoiler: Not really. These words are mostly marketing tools, designed to make us feel better about buying products that might not actually be any better for us—or the planet.
I get it. “Natural” and “sustainable” sound good. Who doesn’t want to make better choices? But here’s the hard truth: the food industry knows how to play on our good intentions. They know we want to feel like we’re making ethical, healthy choices, so they slap on a green label, add some flowery language, and cash in on that guilt-free feeling. But you need to know what you’re actually getting before you fall for the trap.
Let’s start with “natural.” When you see that word on a package, it doesn’t mean much of anything. No one’s regulating what counts as “natural,” so brands can put it on almost anything. Want an example? A big-brand cereal can advertise itself as “natural” even if it’s loaded with sugar, preservatives, and artificial flavors. There’s nothing natural about it, but because people think “natural” means “healthy,” they’re fooled into buying it. It’s a classic bait-and-switch.
And “sustainable”? Don’t even get me started. It’s a buzzword that companies throw around to make themselves look like heroes for the environment. But if you dig deeper, a lot of these “sustainable” practices don’t add up. For example, a plastic water bottle made with 10% recycled materials can still be labeled as “sustainable” because, hey, 10% is better than zero, right? Never mind that it’s still adding to the massive plastic problem we have, and it’s anything but sustainable in the long run.
Here’s a little secret: true sustainability and “natural” practices aren’t just things you can slap on a label. They’re built into the way a farm or company operates, from the ground up. Take our farm, for instance. When we say we’re sustainable, we’re talking about composting, reusing resources, planting in ways that support soil health, and raising animals without overloading the land. There’s no label or certification on that because it’s simply how we operate. It’s what makes sense, not what sells better.
Real sustainability also means thinking about the whole chain of production. Let’s say you buy an organic apple shipped from halfway around the world, wrapped in plastic, and labeled “sustainable.” Sure, that apple might be organic, but how sustainable is it really? It’s been transported thousands of miles, wrapped in plastic, and handled by who knows how many middlemen along the way. Compare that to a non-organic apple grown by a local farmer down the road, with no fancy label and zero plastic wrap. Which one do you think actually has a smaller impact on the environment?
Here’s the deal: if you want to make truly “natural” or “sustainable” choices, the first thing to do is ignore the marketing fluff and look deeper. Ask where the food came from. How far did it travel? What kind of farm raised it? Is it from a local business that’s putting thought into how they grow or raise food? These questions will get you a lot further than any pretty label with a picture of a tree or a sun.
At the end of the day, true sustainability and natural practices don’t need flashy labels or green packaging. They’re found in the practices of people who care about the earth and their products, not in companies that just want to cash in on the latest trend. So next time you’re at the store, don’t get distracted by the buzzwords. Look at what you’re actually buying, and ask the right questions. Marketing may try to fool us, but with a little awareness, we can see right through it.
Until next time,
Traci
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