Thinking about Food Miles
The World at PRI did a great story on “food miles”. Basically it’s the commute your food takes to get to where you can buy it.
Personally I usually buy my groceries at one of three places:
The local farmer’s market, about 1 mile away from my apartment.
The local Harris Teeter, which is on my way home in an easy right turn at a light and an easy right turn out.
The local Harris Teeter near my office, because it’s sooooo much cheaper than the Whole Foods which is closer.
As much as I love the cheap prices at Target, I just don’t go there that often for all that I need.
As I consider the idea in the story of buying food that has traveled least and consumed the least amount of resources to get to me, I am liking the idea of the organic farmer’s market. Spinach is one of the most insecticide drenched vegetables you can buy (per Jonathan. I was wrong a few days ago. I thought it was Consumer Reports where I read that.). Because I try to get spinach at the farmer’s market, hopefully it’s traveled a short way from Pennsylvania and has fewer insecticide residue in or on it. How do I know it’s from Pennsylvania? The side of the truck says so and that’s what Mr. Farmer tells me when I talk to him and ask him about his practices.
I realized this week that I hadn’t eaten McDonald’s in months. There’s one down the street from me and every once in a while I stop in for a quick bite, but I think it’s good that I haven’t gone there in a while. I went to Boston Market in the past month, but for fast food, it has the appearance of being slightly more wholesome than Mickey D’s. While I know both places ship their food hundreds of miles to their franchisees, I think I’m better off staying away from the Golden Arches and trying to cook more at home.
At least for this week.
sfordinarygirl wrote:
Garlic is one of the most far traveled and imported food in the US. That’s traveled thousands if not more miles just to arrive on supermarket shelves. Most garlic is imported because few regions are able to grow it in the US.
But it’s crazy how many miles some of our food travels. It makes you want to support the local farmers market more. Hitting the market makes more sense when you think about how the food isn’t as fresh when it’s come such a long distance.
Posted on 15-Jul-07 at 10:29 pm | Permalink
Part-Timer wrote:
I too gave up the Golde Arches and started packing a lunch over 4 months ago now. I also gave up soda which was major…now the thought of drinking a can of high fructose corn syrup or eating one of those burgers or the fries makes me sick. The desire is completely gone…I hope the same happens for you.
Posted on 16-Jul-07 at 8:37 am | Permalink
mapgirl wrote:
Part-timer. I love Mickey D’s. I will always eat it. I just eat a lot less of it now than before. I had a small cheeseburger this weekend to squeeze in a bite before the movies. I love the fries there. I just don’t think a person should eat there once a week.
Everyone makes choices. I have been unconsciously choosing not to eat at McDonald’s recently because I’d rather eat something else, but when it fits into the situation I will.
Posted on 16-Jul-07 at 10:19 am | Permalink