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I've been slow cooking a lot lately, and I'm starting to think more about the ethical impact of my ingredient choices. It's easy to just grab the cheapest cut of beef or the most convenient canned tomatoes, but what about the animals and the workers involved in producing those ingredients? Factory farmed meat is often substantially cheaper, but carries ethical concerns regarding animal welfare.
Similarly, sourcing vegetables can be a minefield. Are the farmworkers being paid a fair wage? Are pesticides being used that could harm the habitat or thier health? Buying local, when possible, is one option, but even then, it's worth looking into the farming practices of the local producers.Sometimes a slightly more expensive cut of meat from a local farm that practices humane animal treatment feels worth the extra cost, especially when knowing it's supporting a more sustainable and ethical system.
Does anyone else put a lot of thought into the ethics behind their slow cooker ingredients? What are some affordable ways you've found to source ethically produced food for long cooks? Are there certain certifications or labels you look for when deciding wich products to buy?