Where does my food come from?

Where Does My Food Come From?

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©The Royal Society

Food Origin Map

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Click on the icons and learn more about the origin of foods we know and love!

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Defining: Native, Non-Native, and Invasive

Invasive

Native

Non-Native

While many of the things on our plate may be non-native, it doesn't mean they are harmful to our native species. But what can we do about the harmful ones? Believe it or not, there are lots of things to do. Beyond just eradicating them, many invasive species have valuable properties. Some have medicinal uses, can be used for fiber, or even eaten!

IS IT ALL BAD NEWS?

WHAT DO WE DO ABOUT INVASIVES?

Let's explore

How to mitigate invasives

Edible Solutions

Non-Edible Solutions

• Purchase native plants for your garden
• Volunteer at your local park, forest, or other wildlife area to help remove invasive species in the area
• Educate others on invasive species and the harm they bring ecologically and economically
• When hiking ensure to clean bags and boots and discard any pests that may be present before leaving

• If the plant or animal is edible you can eat invasives! Get creative and look for ways to incorporate them into existing meals, or create a whole new recipe with them as the star!

Identify the Invasives and Create a Meal With Them!

Lets Get Started

Create Your Meal

Option 1

common beans

carrots

common carp

Create Your Meal

Option 2

Japanese knotweed

pumpkin

peach

Create Your Meal

Option 3

spinach

Chinese mitten crab

Maine blueberry

One invasive down!

Common Carp

The common carp is established in 48 states, but are one of the most damaging aquatic species. They disrupt shallowly rooted plants, other aquatic plants needed by various fish, and water quality, to name a few.

Wow double invasives! Way to go!

Common Carp

The common carp is established in 48 states, but are one of the most damaging aquatic species. They disrupt shallowly rooted plants, other aquatic plants needed by various fish, and water quality, to name a few.

Japanese Knotweed

Japanese Knotweed is established in 46 states and has invaded full sun areas along roadways, and other disturbed areas. It creates a dense monoculture by crowding and shading out all other native vegetation.

Eat the invasives away!

Chinese Mitten Crab

The Chinese mitten crab is very destructive; it outcompetes native crabs, mussels, and crayfish for food and space. Their burrowing can increase stream bank erosion, and they can impact commercial and recreational fishing as they eat bait and damage fishing nets.

Common Carp

The common carp is established in 48 states, but are one of the most damaging aquatic species. They disrupt shallowly rooted plants, other aquatic plants needed by various fish, and water quality, to name a few.

Japanese Knotweed

Japanese Knotweed is established in 46 states and has invaded full sun areas along roadways, and other disturbed areas. It creates a dense monoculture by crowding and shading out all other native vegetation.

You successfully created a plate full of invasive species! As they say: "if you can't beat them, eat them!"

THANK YOU!

Learn more about invasives on our website!https://www.theclimateinitiative.org/action/invasives/