• Food and Gastronomy -> Food and environment

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What impact do food miles have on the environment?

Maymie Lemonnier

Food miles are the distance that food travels to get from where it's grown to where it's sold. This distance can have an impact on the environment in a few different ways.

First of all, when food has to travel a long way, it often has to be transported by trucks, planes, or other vehicles that burn a lot of fuel. This burning of fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, which can contribute to climate change. So, the farther food has to travel, the more greenhouse gases are released.

Another impact of food miles is that when food has to travel a long way, it can't be as fresh as it would be if it were grown and sold locally. To make up for this, food may need to be preserved or refrigerated, which also requires energy. This energy use can contribute to climate change as well.

Finally, when food is transported long distances, it often has to be packaged and wrapped to protect it during transportation. All of this packaging and wrapping can create a lot of waste, which can also have a negative impact on the environment.

Overall, food miles can have a pretty big impact on the environment. When we try to eat more locally grown food, we can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, waste, and energy use. And by supporting local farmers and businesses, we can help create a more sustainable food system that's better for the planet and for us.