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Submitted by Toban B on March 17, 2008 - 9:21am.
“Interested in eating less oil? In this VideoNation/Hidden Driver report, animator Molly Schwartz keeps track of how many miles your food travels from field to fork.”
This video offers a U.S. perspective on these issues. I found it to be well done.
Toban
(http://tobanblack.net/blog/)
(2 votes)
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Poll
Where do I see myself mostly fitting in as far as making it a better habitat in my region?
Agriculture and Food Security
11%
City Finances / Services
0%
Economy
0%
Environment
21%
Health
4%
Social
46%
Energy
0%
Security
0%
Transportation
7%
Small business / local business
11%
Total votes: 28
Food Miles/Ton
I remember reading about the idea of Food miles/ ton either when I was on the 2007 RSF Food committee or shortly after when we were brainstorming best practices for 2008. I haven't looked into it too deeply though so I'm not sure of it's merits. It's basic criticism of the straight food miles concept is that it does not take scale into account (i.e. the energy needed to move a huge amount of food a very long distance, vs. moving the same amount of food over a smaller distance in smaller loads, therefore requiring several trips.) I dunno, It may just be a PR spin, but I think its worth a second look.
Another interesting idea I came across around the same time was Edible protein per unit area of land as a way of measuring agricultural productivity. All you vegetarians an vegans will be happy to hear that Soy, rice and legumes are at the top, with meat lagging way behind by this measure.
Dose anyone know anything about "Fair Miles"?
-30-
Mike.
"Debout les damnés de l'Université."
-=There is no Cabal, Long live the Cabal=-
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Food Miles
Food miles is changing the way the entire organic food industry (both small & large scale) operates. With the success of the book 'The 100 Mile Diet', by Alisa Smith and James MacKinnon from BC, the consideration of energy cost associated to foods was deeply ingrained, at least, in Canadian food conscious consumers.
By food conscious consumers I extend this group to beyond just buying strictly organic. For example, buying local small farm non-organic produce over corporate organic 1000+ miles produce when forced to choose. The food conscious consumer makes their choice based on more collective ecological considerations versus the strictly certified organic consumer who's choice is driven by individually (or family) health based reasons. In cases of extreme health conditions, I would never argue against what ever is best period.
But Del Monty Organic? Yeah, that might be healthy for your body - but how did it get to you? With Del Monty before Organic you can be sure it wasn't done ethically all the way from your mouth, back to the plantation, and every living creature in between.
There has always been a percentage of organic consumers who practiced local non-organic over 'shiped' organic because that is how they defined organic - not just a labeling system and more of a world view connected with their food practices.
But for both the mainstream organic, and the greater group of food conscious consumers, local is moving fast to the top of the list as 'the ethically better choice'. And this is going to redefine what constitutes organic certification to include food miles.
With even a recent article on Food Miles in the Freeps, it's clear the idea that 'local food is good' has reached the general public consciousness. But good luck on the general public getting local food with low food miles tomorrow.
Because of the centralized corporate distribution system we have, even the majority of locally grown produce goes to the Toronto Food Terminal, just to be driven back to London for retail sales.
"Because of the centralized
"Because of the centralized corporate distribution system we have, even
the majority of locally grown produce goes to the Toronto Food
Terminal, just to be driven back to London for retail sales."
I was wondering about that... and now I know. I learned something today!
-30-
Mike.
"Debout les damnés de l'Université."
-=There is no Cabal, Long live the Cabal=-
My Photos