We are witnessing a nascent interest in green living as yesterday’s Earth Day celebrations and other activities attest. But, green living needs to be more than a slogan absent of real change. We should each seek to adjust our habits and lifestyles to lighten our load on the planet, and the single most impactful choice we make is how we decide to eat. Choosing a vegan lifestyle and supporting Farmer’s Markets, community gardens and other sustainable food systems can make a world of difference. 

Earlier this year, I was very happy to see Tom Vilsack, the Secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) break pavement near USDA headquarters in Washington, DC to establish “The People’s Garden.” On Earth Day, he expanded the effort “to promote healthy food, people and communities across the nation.” 

The USDA press release says: “In response to the overwhelming public support and hundreds of letters the 'People's Garden' concept has received, Secretary Vilsack challenged USDA facilities around the world to plant their own 'People's Gardens.' Let’s keep expressing our appreciation to USDA for setting a good example and promoting healthful plant-based eating with ‘The People’s Garden.’