This is your definitive guide to being a socially conscious foodie in the city!

Eating organic isn’t a just a new trend that’s bound to disappear like culottes. It might seem hyper tedious to eat organic, but it is far easier than you think it is.

GROCERIES

Before you step out the house for your grocery run, make sure you grab your reusable bag with you. What was once a typical Saudi move to bring your own bag has now for some reason become a social faux pas. Plastic bags are a waste of a finite resource and can take up to one thousand years to decompose.

If you’re shopping for fresh produce, head to the local farmer’s market or the local produce aisle in the stores. Aside from the fact that local products contain less preservatives pesticides since they don’t require overseas transport, we need to support our local farming industry. Remember that bruised fruit and veggies are NOT spoiled. Despite being slightly less aesthetically pleasing, they will taste exactly the same.

For other organic products, Danube, Tamimi and Lulu markets all have designated sections for organic as well as gluten free products.

SHOP LOCAL: Head to the District local farmers’ markets. One of the biggest ones is in Rabwa, Exit 14.

DINING

Okay we know some Riyadhis don’t have time to prepare a home cooked meals. So your solution may well be to order. Now instead of opting for fast food (your waistline will be crying), there are different organizations these days who will deliver straight to your homes and offices on a regular basis. And the best part? Proceeds usually go to less fortunate families.

Tunyat Bunyan (Bunyan’s Chefs) is a project by Bunyan Charity Organization. They do everything from packed lunches and catering to pickled goods. The cooks comprise of women who have been trained by the organization and whatever earnings they generate goes directly to these amazing women.

Milwan is an organization that helps divorced women and widows by training them to become cooks and providing a kitchen from which they can prepare food to sell. The same kitchen is part of Khiyrat (goodness), which is another program under the organization that picks up surplus food from parties, repackage these items and distribute them to less fortunate families in the poor areas in Riyadh and neighboring towns.

Now if you want to dine out, why not support restaurants that give back to the community.

Assaraya Restaurant provides a free meal once a day to people in need. So if you’re craving authentic Turkish grilled food, eat your heart out here, make sure to order the buttered hummus (so good. So, so, good.)