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  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    First Steps: Start with You
    What’s one change to your grocery habits that felt more manageable than expected — or harder than expected? Why do you think some products, like produce, started amassing so much plastic packaging? Who is the plastic packaging really serving -- the consumer, the producer, or someone else?

    Kelsey Helms's avatar
    Kelsey Helms 7/18/2025 3:20 PM
    • TEAM CAPTAIN
    Switching to milk and ice cream that comes in cardboard packaging vs plastic. Doing my best to avoid buying produce that comes in plastic if I can find a plastic free option. Using my own bags to carry produce out of stores and growing what I can at home, particularly peppers and lettuce. My guess is plastic use for produce began increasing when grocery stores became larger (ick factor for some) and just because someone is making money off of it, that's who it's really servicing. Corporations and fossil fuel interests.

    • Kerry Keck's avatar
      Kerry Keck 7/18/2025 4:17 PM
      Kelsey, I believe you're right that the distributors and retailers present the plastic packaging as sanitary, but it leads many to believe the produce is cleaner than it is. There have been many cases of food-borne diseases and produce recalls because the produce hasn't been cleaned by the provider and the customer thinks they have.

      Packaging also forces you to purchase in their chosen amount, which may be far greater than you want.

    • Julie Mapes's avatar
      Julie Mapes 7/18/2025 4:57 PM
      • TEAM CAPTAIN
      We don’t drink milk very quickly, so we had originally switched to organic milk as it lasts much longer. It is sold in 1/2 gallon cartons, so smaller packaging that is better. Since it lasts so long and we don’t drink it quickly, it means fewer purchases are required. Win, win, win!

  • Amy Workman's avatar
    Amy Workman 7/10/2025 7:10 AM
    With a family of 7 convenience is always welcome in my busy life- however with that comes the "ease" of purchasing plastic one time use products. The biggest impact with kids in sports, replacing bottles of water and Gatorade bottles with refillable bottles and powder add ins can make such a huge impact. Teaching our children that every little decision makes an impact can help create mindful, purposeful children that will carry these habits and ideas into adulthood!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Level Up: Influence Friends and Family
    How did planning and preparing the meal together affect the conversation about plastic? Did it inspire any new habits?

    Kelsey Helms's avatar
    Kelsey Helms 7/08/2025 4:42 PM
    • TEAM CAPTAIN
    I came together with a couple of friends and each of us have small gardens. We each brought 2-3 veggies we grew and were able to make a lovely/large salad with it. No plastic because the dressing was olive oil from a glass jug, fresh herbs, and lemon juice! It was fun and made us realize it's easier to eat with minimal plastic use than we thought, at least during the growing season!
  • REFLECTION QUESTION
    Level Up: Influence Friends and Family
    Why did you choose that particular gift, and how was it received? What conversations did it spark? Post a pic of the gift in the feed!

    Kelsey Helms's avatar
    Kelsey Helms 7/08/2025 4:37 PM
    • TEAM CAPTAIN
    My friends recently had a house warming party, and I gifted reusable sandwich bags, both small and larger freezer bags. They loved the gift! We all love the convenience of a "ziploc" bag but hate how much plastic is created because of them. Yes you have to clean them vs throwing them away, but most are dishwasher friendly, and it's so very worth the effort.

    • Allison George's avatar
      Allison George 7/08/2025 6:04 PM
      • Foodie 🍱
      Cool! I noticed Trader Joe's carries silicone reusable sandwich bags now.

  • Ann Torke's avatar
    Ann Torke 7/01/2025 2:22 PM
    I have been doing this for a long time and it took me forever to get my family onboard but I finally got them and we have a recycle bin that we have to take to the street every other week. I believe that it is a great idea

  • Chevelle  Jett's avatar
    Chevelle Jett 7/01/2025 1:51 PM
    I love to learn more about the environment and take pride in working to keep my life as sustainable as possible. There are so many things that can be recycled!! I'm excited to learn more ways to be sustainable.