Reading a bit online this week about how blog posts and articles related to the growing concern about food miles oversimplify things. Yes, most food travels 1,500 miles from farm to table. This is a potentially serious environmental problem...the carbon footprint issue and all. And did you know that, in the U.S., our food production contributes to 17% of our total fossil fuel consumption?
On the other hand, local farmers who make repeated weekly trips for CSA deliveries and to farmers' market stalls burn considerable amounts of fossil fuels driving to the 'burbs and city centers. In the end, they may spend as much fuel (if not more) per unit of food as long haul drivers. Yup, this well-intentioned, informal, localized method of distribution is just as bad for the environment--some might argue worse.
Another argument for the Victory Garden revival right there, I think. If you grow it at home, no transportation issues with which to contend.
At the same time, it's a great case for why you should lobby your local grocery store produce manager to buy large amounts of local produce so that area farms can flourish. Farmers' markets are wonderful, but we frankly need more corporate and small biz owner support of local farmers to make this sustainable agriculture concept viable. Often they've got the infrastructure (and many times the trucks) in place to make the shift to local work quickly and efficiently. (Remember: No Farms=No Food!)
Back to the gardens, however...here are a couple of questions rattling in my mind of late: How do we teach a maximum number of people to grow their food, especially newcomers? How do we quickly put a support system in place as even more Americans turn to gardening next spring to deal with inflation?
We need garden mentors...lots and lots of garden mentors...in every climate zone, every region, working in a variety of media and settings.
Expect more on that very topic here tomorrow...
Explore More:
• Do Food Miles Make a Difference to Global Warming? (Reuters, 17 October 2007)
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