FOOD MILES

It's important to know how far your food travels and the consequences for your health and climate. An NRDC analysis of the transportation related impacts of importing agriculture into the state's ports found that almost 250,000 tons of global warming gases released were attributable to imports of food products-the equivalent amount of pollution produced by more than 40,000 vehicles on the road or nearly two power plants.

People are rediscovering the benefits of buying local food. It is good for your local economy because buying directly from family farmers in your area helps them stay in business. And by buying local, it means that yourfood isn’t traveling long distances by planes, trains, trucks, and ships, which all consume energy and spew pollution that contributes to global warming
and unhealthy air quality. Plus you get the added benefit of what many chefs are saying is fresher, better tasting food on your table! How your food is grown, stored, transported, processed and cooked can all influence how it impacts climate change and the environment.

Transportation-related impacts are particularly important for imported foods. NRDC calculated the transportation impacts of importing fresh produce and wine widely consumed in California, directly comparing the climate and air quality emissions from importing these foods instead
of growing and consuming them in California. We did not attempt a full lifecycle assessment of all climate and air impacts. The results of our analysis show that—all else being equal—locally grown foods are a better choice.

We encourage each of you to make the choice to support local farmers, choose foods that are in season at your usual shopping places avoid buying produce that has been flown in from abroad because the global warming pollution produced by this transport is slightly higher than others. Encourage business and government bodies to also adopt this policy.

Read the comprehensive article "Food Miles" from the NRDC