Food shopping: Consumer Reports to hold public forum on following sustainable diet

One way to follow a sustainable diet is to buy chemical-free organic food when you can, such as these Organic Opal Apples that were on sale at the Whole Foods Market in Bergen Town Center, Paramus, above. Today, at the Whole Foods in the Closter Plaza shopping center in Closter, I bought a 1-pound box of Organic Whole Wheat Shells imported from Italy, below.

THE DATE IS TUESDAY, NOV. 28,
 AT JOHNSON PUBLIC LIBRARY 

--HACKENSACK, N.J.

What does eating sustainably mean to you?

Consumer Reports says:

"Maintaining a sustainable diet is a way of eating that can be maintained for the long haul. It's a way of eating that supports the individual and the planet."

It's important to maintain a sustainable diet "to protect natural resources -- land, water, animals, and insects -- now and in the future. 

"The way food animals are raised has an impact on both human health and natural resources."

The magazine and website have reported extensively on the use of harmful human antibiotics to raise meat and poultry on industrial farms, and rated supermarkets and fast-food restaurants.

Now, Consumer Reports is seeking to reach existing and new audiences through such community workshops as this one on following a sustainable diet.

The free workshop will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 28, at the Johnson Public Library, 274 Main St. in Hackensack, from 6:15 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Street parking is free after 6 p.m. Once inside, ask for directions to the conference room on the lower level of the library.

Victor E. Sasson will conduct the workshop. 

The Hackensack resident is editor of two blogs that discuss food shopping, restaurants and harmful antibiotics in meat and poultry, The Sasson Report and Do You Really Know What You're Eating?

If you would like to attend, please email Alan Smith, a community engagement specialist at Consumer Reports (alan.smith@consumer.org) or call him at 1-914-378-2000, Ext. 2662.