A quick read of The Ethicurean is always worth my while, as it reminds me over and over again why it is important to know where my food comes from and support local agriculture. They collect articles and commentary on food issues in one place, making it easy to get an overview of current issues in mindful food choices. Reading it tonight, I came upon this video that I wanted to share with you.
This video from The Nation traces how food travels to get to your plate. The average meal in the US travels 1500 miles from farm to fork and comes from 5 countries outside of the US. (The term "Carbon Foodprint" comes from Zoe Bradley at Edible Portland.)
(Go ahead, click through to The Ethicurean. It's worth the read. I'll be here when you get back.)
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Local eating is counterproductive, if you are concerned with reducing your carbon footprint. A carrot that gets shipped a thousand miles in a truck or by train uses less fuel than a locally grown carrot that is driven to a farmer's market: The industrially-grown carrots are packed tight into shipping containers, while locally grown foods tend to be moved around in pickup trucks and so on.
By far, the majority of carbon involved in food transportation comes from the vehicles consumers drive to the market and back. Just walk to the supermarket, or go only to the closest one, if you really want to make a difference.
Meanwhile, be wary of the latest green trends that are backed by sentiment and not evidence.
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