Driving from New England to the mid-Atlantic states with two young children is fraught with challenges. One of them is that you have to deal with the New York Thruway, and the
Northway where the only places to stop are the highway rest areas with a few fast food choices at each. At least they moved from a Bob’s Big Boy to a Quizzno’s and Sbarro, but still. The choices are bleak for someone trying to travel green and healthy.
I try to pack. But packing three meals for a 10 hour driving day, and all the stuff the kids need for the trip, and everything I need– well, it is overwhelming for someone who despises packing as much as I do. And we have some challenges such as one severe nut allergy, 3 vegetarians, and a guy who would love to eat sausage, egg and cheese sandwiches everyday.
But what happens when we stop for food on the road, from chain fast food restuarants, or even “healthy” fast food? This kind of eating has consequences:
- It litters our streets
- It packs our landfills
- It chokes our waterways, harming wildlife, and our water supply
- It leads to childhood obesity
- It exposes us to harmful chemicals.
- It fills us with sugar, additives, and food colorings.
- Fast food chains drain local economies.
