While some of the best ways to reduce your carbon footprint while buying your usual groceries are to simply grow your own veggies, shop at farmers markets and join co-ops, many of us don't yet have some of those options available to us.

So, these are 5 quick and easy ways to help out in small ways.

1. Local Brands. You'd be surprised to learn just how many of your foods may be produced near to you. Selecting a food item that is at least packed or processed closer to you is better than one that is across the state. You're puchasing the item at a higher point in the supply chain. So, instead of purchasing a product that is processed/made/etc many states away and then has to pass through multiple distribution outlets/shipping outlets you're getting something that eliminates all that shipping, packaging, and fuel costs.

2. Suppliment with seasonal items. Purchase foods that are seasonaly available. These are more than likely native foods for that very reason. While I stated at the begining that farmers stands may not be available in your area, these are excellent sources for these items. Or, just pay attention to your store's produce items as they will usually note when it's a local item. For example, Peaches are a very popular item when they come into season here in Texas. Substituting those for an apple that was probably grown in the northwest would be an excellent example.

3. Use your own re-usable bags. This was a hard one to remember until I basically just started leaving the bags in my car. Eliminating the plastic waste is the obvious benefit. I still selectively get a couple bags from time to time put in the plastic ones that way I have something to use for those little trashcans and stuff like that. It's the re-using that is important here and cutting down on plastics. While this isn't much incentive for this reason alone, some stores like Whole Foods will give you a 5-cent credit on your receipt for using your own bag.

4. This is pretty similar to #3, but is a bit more specific. Stop bagging each individual fruit or veggie. You're going to wash these or peal them before you eat them, so why put each one in it's own bag? Use a re-usable bag to put them all in. If you shop where they have you weigh and print out your own tags for the fruits/veggies I usually just put those stickers on the back of my shopping list and present it to the cashier.

5. Bulk Items. Things like dry goods (beans, soup mixes, cereal, candies, nuts, grains, oats, coffee, honey, peanut butter, ??) can usually be purchased in bulk at some stores. The point is similar to #1. Purchase a higher point in the supply chain to eliminate added processing, transportation, distribution, packaging and material costs. Purchasing in bulk is almost always cheaper than purchasing the same item in a packaged product.

That's it. They're simple and easy to do.

If you live close to your grocery store of choice riding a bike and making more trips throughout the week is another awesome way to decrease your foot print.