Traceability

For those who are fish-eaters, I found something pretty cool about a local seafood company, 7 Seas. While many of the products they carry aren't harvested within 100 miles, their wild albacore tuna is from around Vancouver island and down to Washington when it's in season. And oh my goodness, it is tasty.

Their big focus is sustainability, and they've been involved in some efforts to eliminate traditionally farmed prawns because of the effects of the farming on the flora in the areas, and because of the chemical content. They aim to have chemical-free, natural seafood that they process locally in Richmond.

What I found awesome and unique about this company is that on the label of any product you buy, they provide a lot number and you can go online where they are in the works of having a field you can type the number in to find out exactly where that particular product was sourced. This makes it a lot easier to eat locally, as I'm sure you all have gone crazy with label-reading like I have, been frustrated with lack of specificity of the term "grown in BC" and found yourself cursing "BUT WHERE in BC!!!!" at vegetables as other shoppers give you strange glances.

I really appreciate this ability to trace your food to have a better connection to what you choose- and it forces you think about the fact that food (meat especially) doesn't just magically appear all sliced and sealed on styrofoam in your grocery store. It makes me value the meat I do eat, and I have more respect for it (if that's the right way of phrasing) and choose meat-free options more often. I think it's important for all meat-consumers to be aware of what exactly is involved in getting that meat to the plate.