Local Produce, Global Impact: Reducing Pollution Through Smart Shopping

Buying local produce can significantly reduce pollution and your carbon footprint. The distance that food travels to reach your plate is known as food miles, and the further your food has to travel, the more greenhouse gases are released into the atmosphere. In the US, food typically travels between 2,500 and 4,000 kilometres from farm to plate, and in the UK, food travels 50% farther than it did two decades ago. By buying local produce, you can reduce the distance your food needs to travel, lowering fuel consumption and pollution caused by transport. Additionally, local food often doesn't require preservatives, excessive packaging, or refrigeration facilities, which also contribute to pollution.

Less transport, less pollution

The distance that food travels is a key factor in the environmental impact of our food choices. The term "food miles" refers to the distance food travels from farm to plate, and the more miles travelled, the more fossil fuels are burned, and the more greenhouse gases are emitted into the atmosphere.

In the US, food typically travels between 2,500 and 4,000 kilometres from farm to plate, with similar figures in Canada. In the UK, food now travels 50% further than it did two decades ago. By choosing to buy local produce, you can significantly reduce the distance your food has to travel, and therefore the fuel consumption and pollution caused by planes, trucks, trains, and boats.

A study by Rich Pirog found that conventional food distribution was responsible for 5 to 17 times more CO2 emissions than local and regionally produced food. Another study found that transportation accounts for 11% of food's greenhouse gas emissions, with the final delivery stage from producer to market responsible for 4%.

By reducing the transport stage of the food supply chain, you can also reduce the need for large shipping, packing, and refrigeration facilities, which themselves generate pollution. Less transport also means less packaging is required to preserve food during shipping, reducing the environmental impact of manufacturing and disposing of packaging.

In addition to reducing pollution, buying local produce has other benefits. It supports local farmers and the local economy, and can improve food safety and freshness, as local produce is less likely to be contaminated and has fewer food miles to travel, meaning it is likely to be fresher.

Fresher produce, less waste

When you buy local produce, you're not just supporting local businesses and reducing transport emissions—you're also getting fresher, healthier food that's better for the environment.

Local produce is often picked when it's ripe and in season, which means it's at its best when it reaches your plate. This also means less time travelling, so the vitamin and mineral content stays intact. Fruits and vegetables can start losing their nutrients as soon as 24 hours after picking, so the fresher the better!

Local farmers also tend to keep their produce organic, preservative-free, and pesticide-free. This is not only healthier for you but also better for the environment. By not using pesticides and other harmful toxins, farmers are improving air quality and preventing water and air pollution.

Because local produce is, well, local, it doesn't need to be packaged in the same way that food shipped over long distances does. This means less waste and fewer resources used in packaging, which is often made from chemicals, water, petroleum, electricity, and wood. All food packaging eventually becomes waste, and while a small amount could be recycled, most of it ends up in landfills or becomes litter, leaching toxic chemicals into the ground and water.

By buying local produce, you're also reducing food waste. Imported goods often go bad before they're purchased, but with local produce, this is less likely to happen as the food doesn't have to travel as far.

Protecting local land

Local farms also tend to adopt more environmentally friendly practices. They often rebuild crop and insect diversity, use fewer pesticides, enrich the soil with cover crops, create border areas for wildlife, and produce tastier food. Small farms are more likely to use organic or natural pest repellents and avoid preservatives, as their produce doesn't have to travel long distances. This improves air quality and prevents water and air pollution.

Local farms also keep nutrient cycling at the local level. In contrast, conventional agriculture can upset a region's natural nutrient balance. For example, phosphorus in fertilised grain grown in the Midwest of the US is shipped to the Northeast for dairy cow feed. The resulting dairy cow manure is then applied to fields in the Northeast, where the excess phosphorus runs off into streams, lakes, and the ocean, causing eutrophication—a serious form of water pollution. If nutrients were cycling locally, there would be no excess.

Reducing food miles

Food miles refer to the distance that food travels from its origin to the consumer. The more miles travelled, the more fossil fuels are burned, and the more harmful greenhouse gas emissions are released into the atmosphere.

In the United States, food typically travels between 2,500 and 4,000 kilometres from farm to plate, with similar figures in other industrialised nations. This long-distance transportation of food relies heavily on fossil fuels and contributes significantly to global warming.

By buying local produce, you can significantly reduce these food miles. Local food is usually grown within a 100-mile radius, reducing the distance your food has to travel before reaching your plate. This shorter travel distance means less fuel consumption and fewer emissions from planes, trucks, trains, and boats.

Additionally, buying local eliminates the need for large shipping, packing, and refrigeration facilities, which themselves generate substantial pollution. The packaging required for long-distance food transportation is also detrimental to the environment, as it often contains toxic chemicals and ends up as waste in landfills or litter, threatening wildlife and marine life.

However, it is important to note that the environmental benefits of buying local are not always straightforward. The climate impact of food depends on various factors, including production methods, and it may be more environmentally friendly to import certain produce from warmer countries during the off-season. Nonetheless, reducing food miles by buying local is a significant step towards lowering your carbon footprint and contributing to a more sustainable food system.

Supporting local economy

Supporting the local economy is a significant aspect of buying local produce. Here are some ways in which purchasing locally contributes to the economic well-being of the community:

Keeps Money in the Community

When individuals opt to buy local produce, they are essentially keeping their money within the community. Instead of supporting large chain supermarkets, individuals can choose to support local farmers and businesses. This ensures that the money spent on food remains within the local economy, benefiting local individuals and enterprises.

Higher Profit Margins for Local Farmers

Local farmers and producers have lower transportation and distribution costs compared to large agricultural businesses. As a result, they can retain more profit from their sales. This helps small farming businesses stay successful and competitive against larger corporations.

Job Creation

Supporting local food producers directly contributes to the growth of the community. As more people buy from these local businesses, the demand for staff increases, leading to the creation of more jobs within the neighborhood. This not only strengthens the local economy but also provides employment opportunities for community members.

Supporting Local Businesses

Purchasing local produce helps support local businesses, including farmers, ranchers, and producers. This support is crucial for the survival and success of these enterprises, especially in challenging economic times or when natural disasters interrupt supply chains. By choosing local options, individuals can ensure that these businesses continue to operate and thrive, even if they face difficulties in importing goods from other regions or countries.

Unique Selling Point for Businesses

For restaurants, caterers, and other food-related businesses, sourcing local ingredients can provide a unique selling point. It allows them to create interesting stories around their menu, attract customers who value sustainability, and differentiate themselves from competitors. This aspect of buying local produce not only supports the local economy but also enhances the reputation and success of local businesses.

Frequently asked questions