By CG Lifestyles & People Editor Sarah DeCarlo

Feeling guilty about the source of your meals? While it is true that the most eco-friendly way to get food is to grow it yourself, this is usually not feasible – especially for residents of Southeast Ohio, where the weather can be as unpredictable as the stock market. The green at heart may shy away from grocery stores, but there are some ways to leave less of a carbon footprint while browsing the aisles. Here’s a list of College Green’s tips for greener grocery shopping.

Buy reusable shopping bags

Most grocery stores sell reusable shopping bags, including Walmart and Kroger. They are very inexpensive, typically sturdy and can hold twice as much as a normal checkout bag! Keep them near your shopping list or in the trunk of your car so that you don’t forget them in your rush to get to the store. So, next time the clerk asks if you would prefer paper or plastic, know that you have a third option.

Mix up your normal shopping list

Look for organic alternatives to your typical buys. While locally grown produce is available only in limited quantities during the winter season, stores are still able to stock high quantities of products like milk, meat and eggs. Replace your weekly gallon of Kroger-brand milk with one from Snowville Creamery or opt for a local brand of oats over Quaker Oatmeal. It may not be financially feasible to completely restock your cabinets with organic foods, but a few replacements here and there can make a difference to the environment, your health and your local economy.

Save produce bags

Ever tried purchasing a variety of fruits and vegetables without using the plastic bags near the displays? Even if you can make it through the store without dropping several items, you still have to sort out the jumbled mess of produce upon arriving at the checkout. Consolidating bags by putting several types of produce into one could work if every item cost the same per pound; however, this will simply earn you a death-stare from the cashier, who has to rearrange inside of the bag in order to weigh each type. So what’s a solution? After shopping once, giving each type of produce its own plastic bag, store them inside your new reusable grocery bags! This way, you can keep your fruit unbruised, maintain the cashier’s happiness and feel good about your low environmental impact.

Take alternate modes of transportation

With the bitter Southeast Ohio winter in full swing, it can be difficult to motivate yourself for a walk to the store. Still, one-person driving trips waste resources such as gasoline, so why not invite your friends? Chances are they’ll need to make a trip at some point themselves, so schedule a weekly time that works for three or four people. If this doesn’t work for you, consider taking local transportation alternatives. And, if the weather suddenly clears up for a day or two, dig out your bike and go pick up a few items – but keep the shopping list to a minimum.

Think ahead

When purchasing non-fresh foods, consider the packaging. Many items today, including but not limited to lunch meats and microwaveable pasta dishes, come in reusable plastic containers. These are usually dishwasher safe and can be used once their original hosts have been devoured as storage for future leftovers, desk supplies or virtually anything else!