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City clocks concern over food miles

What is a food mile? Food miles is the distance food travels from the field to the dining table. It is a way of indicating the environmental impact of the food we eat. The longer a food travels, the more harmful it is for the environment.

The Longer Your Food Travels Before It Reaches Your Plate, The More Damage It Does To The Environment. The City That Boasts Of ‘Washington Apples’ Seems To Be Realizing That — Finally

Chennai: A city that has always taken pride in supermarkets well-stocked with exotic food — from Swiss cheese to American apples — seems to be finally waking up to the food mile concept, with experts warning about its direct impact on climate changes. Pointing to the enormous amounts of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere when food items are air-freighted from abroad, they are seeking to drive home the importance of locally grown and locally-made food.

“A cup of yoghurt travels 2,000 km before it reaches a customer. Such food miles are unnecessary,” said Vanaja Ramprasad, an organic farmer and bio-diversity expert. “Moving food and flowers across the globe merely adds to carbon footprints and when global warming is a serious concern engaging governments, import of perishables is an issue that needs more serious research and analyses.”

Experts like her say the frequent-flyer status enjoyed by goods, particularly fruits and vegetables, are nothing more than lifestyle habits which do nothing to improve a nation’s health and environment.

“Imported food is one of the skewed results of globalization, but when there is so much clear evidence pointing to carbon footprints impacting biodiversity and environment, we really do not have to contribute to the same by flying down fruits and vegetables,” said M G Devasahayam, managing trustee, Citizens Alliance for Sustainable Living (SUSTAIN).

“Australian bananas and California oranges may make the taste buds happy, but the enormous energy cost in transportation and storage needs to be addressed,” he said.

“The Food Security Act envisages food for all, but we should look at empowering our farmers to raise good produce and make food affordable to all, without adding to global warming,” Devasahayam added.

According to Vanaja, indigenous food is the best option for the well-being of people as well as the environment. “Ayurveda tells you that seasonal fruits and vegetables are best suited to the body,” she said. “Opting for seasonal fruits and vegetables in the best way to ensure we do not add further to the carbon foot prints,” she added.

Consultant dietician and nutritionist Dharini Krishnan said locally-grown fruits such as guava and chickoo gave sufficient nutrition. “If variety in the menu comes with the high cost of green house gas emissions, it’s not a palatable thought,” she said.

What is a food mile? Food miles is the distance food travels from the field to the dining table. It is a way of indicating the environmental impact of the food we eat. The longer a food travels, the more harmful it is for the environment.

Why is it a cause for concern?
If the apple you eat comes from an orchard in Australia, it means it has traveled a distance of about 6,000 miles. When one kilogram of apples travels a distance of 6,000 miles, 10.6 kg of CO2 is released in the atmosphere if the journey is covered by plane, 1.2 kg when by boat, only 0.2 kg when by rail, and 2.6 kg when it is made by road Won’t you think before you bite? Did you know? Processing, packaging, preservation and refrigeration also contribute to the food’s carbon footprint.

Carbon-intensive food at your mall Fruits:
Apples, oranges, dragon fruit and kiwi fruits are imported from USA, Thailand and New Zealand

Processed food:
Sausages and other frozen snacks are imported from various European countries, Kuwait and Sri Lanka

Dairy products:
Cheese comes from Greece, Holland, Germany, and France and, of course, Switzerland

Juices:
Imported from South Africa, Australia and the US

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