For people who have decided to adopt the green lifestyle, food miles is an important, interesting and enlightening concept.  Keep in mind that food production itself involves the use of environmental resources and - as a green individual - you want to keep the ecological and economic costs to minimal levels.

Definition of Food Miles

Simply put, the concept of food miles is defined as the distance between where the food was grown and where said food will be purchased by the end consumer.  Think of it as measuring the distance traveled by food from the farm and to the market and then on to your dining table.

Lest you think that requires rocket science, think again.  Just get your map out and plot the two points between the farm and the house, of which the resulting distance is the food miles.  For example, if you live in New England and the fruit was grown in California, then the food miles for that single piece of fruit is calculated at 3,000 miles.

It may not make an impact now until you begin to add up the financial and environmental costs necessary to transport the fruit.  You have to count in gasoline and diesel fuel to keep the truck moving as well as refrigeration expenses to keep the food as fresh as possible.  All of these expenses will find their way into the environment soon enough.

Now, consider the fact that the American food will have traveled an average of 1,500 food miles.  Add in the population of the country and you have an idea of just how important food miles are in living a green lifestyle.  Plus, there is also the fact that you are helping the economy by buying local produce.

How to Lessen Food Miles

With that being said, you can actually lessen your environmental impact by lessening the food miles on your table’s fare.  Of course, this is only possible when you start to buy local, which the following suggestions can help you get a head start on:

-Purchase your fresh fruits and vegetables, meat and fish items as well as dairy products from local grocery stores and food cooperatives.  You may have to pay just a little bit more depending on the location but rest assured that the benefit of freshness is well worth the small premium.  Just make sure that the products are, indeed, sourced locally.

-Dine at local restaurants offering locally grown or raised cuisines.  If you live in a small town, you will   almost immediately know if the ingredients and materials used are local in every sense of the word.

-Preserve the locally grown or raised produce through canning, freezing and other methods so as to enjoy them even when off-season.

-Be a valued customer of local farmers’ markets and roadside food stands, many of the proprietors of whom will even deliver the foods right to your doorsteps.  That’s small town for you.

Of course, you should educate your family and friends about the benefits of eating local foods.  In this way, you will be able to multiply the effects of your decision to go green by lessening your carbon footprint in terms of food miles.