Food miles is an expression for the concept that the mileage of food before it reaches the consumer (or the plate) is a potential indicator for the environmental impact of the food and its components. However, it is based on several serious mistakes or omissions:
- Transport is only one component of the total environmental impact of food production and consumption. E.g.
- locally grown food, in cold climates, may actually use more energy due to factors such as heating of greenhouses.[1]
- environmental impact of transport depends on type of transport, and also on the bulk of the food, and the nature of the packing. If a commodity such as grain is sent by ship, it may actually use less fuel than is used transporting it by truck within the country of destination.
See the Wikipedia article, especially the section W
Suggested projects
- Compare the environmental impact of locally grown and imported food; look at the impact of eating different types of food as a part of the total diet.[expansion needed]