Food and Climate: How Snack Choices Impact the Planet

When you think about climate change, snacks probably aren’t the first thing that comes to mind. But our food system, how ingredients are grown, processed, packaged, and transported, has a major impact on the health of the planet. That includes the quick, everyday decisions we make about grab and go snacks.

From the farms where raw ingredients are harvested to the plastic that wraps your food, every step in the snack supply chain has an environmental footprint. And as global awareness around sustainability continues to grow, more people are beginning to realize just how much our daily choices matter.

At Kate’s Real Food, we believe real ingredients don’t just fuel adventure, they reflect deeper values. That’s why we focus on creating organic, clean-label bars that are good for both people and the planet. Let’s take a closer look at how your snack choices influence the environment, and how switching to more mindful options can help reduce your impact.

Understanding the Environmental Impact of Snacks

Many popular snack options are made with low-cost, heavily processed ingredients. These are often produced using industrial-scale agriculture, which tends to prioritize yield and efficiency over long-term environmental health. As a result, common ingredients like refined grains, high-fructose corn syrup, and artificial preservatives are linked to environmental degradation on a global scale.

Key Environmental Concerns with Conventional Snacks:

• Greenhouse Gas Emissions: The production of synthetic fertilizers, long-distance transportation, and energy-intensive processing all contribute to carbon and methane emissions.

• Deforestation: Crops like palm oil and soy are major drivers of deforestation, especially in tropical regions where ecosystems are rich and fragile.

• Water Use: Conventional farming often relies on heavy irrigation and depletes local water resources. It also contributes to runoff pollution that harms aquatic ecosystems.

• Soil Depletion: Monocropping and synthetic inputs degrade the soil, reducing its ability to retain nutrients and support biodiversity.

• Plastic Waste: Most snack wrappers aren’t recyclable and end up in landfills or oceans, where they take centuries to break down.

For something small, that’s a lot of hidden impact.

Why Organic Ingredients Matter

One of the simplest ways to reduce the climate impact of your diet is to choose foods made with organic ingredients. Organic farming supports the health of the soil, water, and surrounding ecosystem by avoiding synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. It also encourages biodiversity, crop rotation, and practices that build long-term sustainability.

The Organic Advantage:

• Healthier Soil: Organic farming nourishes the soil through composting, cover crops, and natural amendments, which means better carbon sequestration.

• No Synthetic Chemicals: Avoiding synthetic pesticides reduces contamination of water and food sources, and supports the health of farm workers and wildlife.

• Reduced Pollution: Organic practices generate fewer emissions and avoid the environmental toll of chemical fertilizer production.

• Support for Regenerative Farming: Many organic farms also implement regenerative techniques that rebuild natural ecosystems and store carbon in the soil.

Kate’s Real Food uses only USDA-certified organic ingredients. That includes certified gluten-free oats, nut butters made from real almonds and peanuts, and organic honey sourced responsibly. These ingredients are not just good for your body, they’re grown in ways that support a thriving planet.

The Carbon Footprint of “Grab and Go Snacks”

Convenient, individually packaged snacks are a staple in many busy lives. But they often come with an oversized carbon footprint.

Let’s break down where that impact comes from:

1. Processing: Many mainstream snacks are ultra-processed, which requires more energy, equipment, and chemical inputs.

2. Transportation: Ingredients are often sourced globally, meaning more miles traveled and more emissions.

3. Shelf Life: Foods that last longer often require preservatives, stabilizers, or high-energy storage processes like refrigeration.

By contrast, grab and go snacks made from whole, real ingredients require less processing and fewer synthetic inputs. When those ingredients are sourced organically and locally when possible, the climate benefits are even greater.

Plant-Based Snacks and Climate Impact

Another important factor in climate-friendly snacking is the source of your calories. Plant-based foods generally require fewer natural resources than animal-based ones.

When you reach for a snack that’s built around oats, fruit, nuts, and seeds, you’re making a choice that’s lighter on the planet. Compared to dairy-heavy or meat-based products, plant-based snacks generate:

• Fewer greenhouse gas emissions

• Lower water usage

• Less pollution and waste runoff

Kate’s Real Food bars are naturally plant-based (though not exclusively vegan due to our use of organic honey). Each one delivers complex carbs, fiber, healthy fats, and a steady source of energy, all from ingredients that align with environmentally responsible farming.

Transparency, Traceability, and Trust

When it comes to making better food choices, transparency matters.

As consumers, we should have a clear view into where our food comes from, how it’s made, and who it supports. Unfortunately, many conventional snack brands rely on long, opaque supply chains that make it difficult to assess environmental and social impact.

At Kate’s, we prioritize:

• Organic certifications that ensure responsible growing practices

• Fair relationships with our producers and ingredient suppliers

Every ingredient has a story, and we want that story to reflect care for people and the planet.

How to Choose More Sustainable Grab and Go Snacks

Switching to more sustainable snacks doesn’t mean giving up convenience. It can make your choices more intentional and rewarding.

Here’s what to look for:

• Organic certifications (like USDA Organic)

• Whole food ingredients you recognize and trust

• No synthetic preservatives or fillers

• Minimal packaging

• Transparent supply chains

• Brands that care about their impact

Kate’s Real Food checks all these boxes. Our bars are not only delicious and functional, they’re crafted with integrity. And when you support companies making better choices, you become part of a more sustainable food future.

Why It Matters: Snacks, Sustainability, and the Bigger Picture

You don’t need to overhaul your entire diet to start reducing your food-related carbon footprint. Just start with the snacks.

Each time you choose a grab and go snack made with real, organic ingredients, you’re doing more than fueling your body, you’re supporting healthier soils, cleaner air and water, and more ethical supply chains. You’re saying “yes” to brands that put people and planet before profit. And you’re contributing to a future where convenience doesn’t come at the cost of the climate.

Real Food, Real Values

At Kate’s Real Food, we believe food should do more than fill you up. It should reflect your values, your adventures, and your commitment to something bigger.

We’re proud to craft organic grab and go snacks that power your day, without compromising the planet. Every bite is made with intention, from real ingredients that respect the earth and the people who grow them.

So next time you reach for a snack, ask yourself: Where did this come from? Who did it support? How does it impact the world around me?

Because real change starts with small choices. And that includes what’s in your backpack, your pantry, and your lunchbox.