Conscious Eating and the Impact of Small Change

Three weeks ago, I wasn’t at all convinced by the benefits of “environmentally conscious eating”. I had figured that small choices really mean nothing since the laws of supply and demand ultimately dictate which items end up on grocery store shelves. Corporations hold power and the people lack power; how would personal choice make even the slightest impact? If I cut out a certain food from my diet, my decision would never stop the production of that food item, and it would certainly not stop others from consuming that item either. However, I realized that I had jumped to conclusions about a concept I hardly understood. Since reading Anna Lappé’s “Beyond the Fork”, I have slowly begun to understand the impact of small change. An individual’s choice may not change the world entirely, however, the power of small choices offers a way of moving forward while creating hundreds of “global ripples”, as Lappé puts it (Lappé 230). 

Lappé begins the chapter, “Beyond the Fork”, by describing the disillusionment and defeat of her professor, who had done “‘all the right things” as an environmentalist. However, the professor felt as if her work was meaningless after seeing the extent of New York City’s energy usage. I must say, I understood her frustration. What was the point in personal change if the rest of the world would simply counteract all of that hard work? 

Slowly my doubt was assuaged as I read ahead.  As Lappé says, personal change and involvement are about making small “ripples” which can turn into larger “ripples” (Lappé 230). Lappé narrates a story of two sisters who helped place sustainability labels on grocery store items as a part of a greater movement (RAN stickering action). Lappé says that the sisters witnessed the amazing direct effects of their actions: “Noga’s sister shared the feeling that maybe, just maybe her small act did have a larger significance. For the first time in her life, Noga’s sister sensed… that she was a part of a chain of events beyond anything she had imagined…” (Lappé 241). This in itself is the “ripple” effect. Individuals may not always directly get to see the effects of their personal efforts like Noga’s sister. Noga's and her sister’s accounts contradicted my previous thinking that small change is meaningless, as evidently, small movements can have a greater impact. I learned from this passage that even if an individual’s choice doesn’t drastically change corporate practice, personal efforts are important as they foster a sense of compassion, accountability, and accomplishment. 

 

I rejected becoming a “conscious consumer” at first since I didn’t believe that any concrete change would result from my action unless everyone made an investment. Anna Lappé’s “Beyond the Fork” made me realize that in order to make a change, we have to step outside of the “if everyone participated” mindset (an inflated bystander effect). Certainly, it would be ideal if everyone was able to change what they eat, where they shop, means of transportation, etc. for the betterment of our climate. However, oftentimes, people will choose the most convenient and efficient options. Some people don’t have the time to engage in organized efforts. Some people live in food deserts without an efficient way of getting to farmer’s markets or other small businesses. In reality, not everyone will or has the means to hop on board the clean eating train. This fact shouldn’t dissuade those who are able to alter their lifestyle for the better. 

Individuals can make a difference: “Once a consumer trend occupies 20 percent of a market it can become an unstoppable force” (Lappé 236). That number, 20 percent, is our key to changing the marketplace, to changing what’s on our grocery store shelves, and to changing how our food is procured. If 20 percent of people are dedicated to making small individual changes, greater tangible change will be made. 

Works Cited

Lappé, Anna. "Beyond the Fork." Diet for a Hot Planet, pp. 230-49.