Food Miles

Jared Peet

Agenda

• Define “Food Miles” and the environmental damage of air-freighted food

• Field Research• Determine “Food Miles” of a typical meal

Food Miles

• Refers to distance food is transported from production till it reaches the consumer

• One factor to consider when analyzing environmental impact of food production– Relates to CO2 emissions and

global warming– Account for about 12% of

total food production related emissions

What’s for dinner?

One-Pot Pad Thai• Ginger• Garlic• Red Pepper• Scallions• Carrots• Hoisin Sauce• Peanuts• Peanut Butter (Skippy)• Soba Noodles

Taco Night• Soy Protein• Hard Taco Shells• Tomatoes• Onion• Cilantro• Black Beans• Cheddar Cheese• Fajita Spice Mix

Field Research

• Take your list of ingredients• We’re going up the hill to TSC• Talk with staff, look at labels – where do

ingredients come from? – Record the country of origin/manufacture

• When we return, you will calculate total food miles for your meal

Food Miles Calculation

• Go to www.foodmiles.com• Use bar on right side of page to calculate food

miles for each ingredient• Total up all the food miles used for your meal• Could you help save the environment by

finding any of these ingredients locally?