Food Miles

Do you know how far your food has traveled? How long it has been on the road or in storage since harvest? What happens to it during shipping and storage? And just as important in these days of national and oil insecurity, do you know how to best reduce your families energy consumption while improving the nutrition and taste of your food?

Todays global food system is extremely complex and dependent on transporting produce and products over long distances. It is thus increasingly dependent on fossil fuel energy to keep it running. In fact it is so complex that its difficult to get information about where your food begins and how it gets to you. Your local produce grocer knows the location of their supplier, but may not know the country of orgin, let alone who grew the produce that you eat.

Fortunately there is a growing awareness of the relationship between food, health, sustainable communities and the global food system. The realization that sustainable communities begin with secure and sustainable food systems is leading to an increase in the number of local food systems.

Here you will find several publications useful in understanding local systems and in creating one with your community.

Here you will find a game to help you see the food miles on your table.