BACKGROUND
Concept of "Food Miles"
“Food Miles” is a term that approximates the distance that food travels from farm to plate. This concept was developed to attempt to put a number value on these distances, and roughly estimate the carbon footprint and environmental impacts that this system has on the health of the planet. The measurement of these “food miles” can be incredibly difficult and almost impossible to put an exact number on because of all the other externalities that factor in. To measure the collective environmental impact from farm to plate you have to include all steps in the process, beginning with the fertilizers and pesticides used in soil, the amount of water used, the harvesting machinery, packaging, preservatives used, manufacturing, and type of transport. So many elements need to be considered that it is difficult to imagine the true damage that is being done. (Photo: http://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/vegandfruit-e1331343526587-560x416.png)
“Food Miles” is a term that approximates the distance that food travels from farm to plate. This concept was developed to attempt to put a number value on these distances, and roughly estimate the carbon footprint and environmental impacts that this system has on the health of the planet. The measurement of these “food miles” can be incredibly difficult and almost impossible to put an exact number on because of all the other externalities that factor in. To measure the collective environmental impact from farm to plate you have to include all steps in the process, beginning with the fertilizers and pesticides used in soil, the amount of water used, the harvesting machinery, packaging, preservatives used, manufacturing, and type of transport. So many elements need to be considered that it is difficult to imagine the true damage that is being done. (Photo: http://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/vegandfruit-e1331343526587-560x416.png)
Brief History of our Modern Day Food System
The history behind our modern day food system has a lot to do with our ability and need to feed the growing population. The population on earth in 1800 was one billion, in 2002 it was 6.5 billion, this massive increase called for an increase of food as well. It all begin with the rise of the Industrial Revolution, the capability to identify nitrogen and phosphorous as essential elements in the growth of plants led to the production of synthetic fertilizers. Pesticides originated from the chemicals developed for use in World War II. And advancements in transportation technology and shipping networks made it possible for distribution of fresh fruits and vegetables to be shipped long distances without going bad.
The history behind our modern day food system has a lot to do with our ability and need to feed the growing population. The population on earth in 1800 was one billion, in 2002 it was 6.5 billion, this massive increase called for an increase of food as well. It all begin with the rise of the Industrial Revolution, the capability to identify nitrogen and phosphorous as essential elements in the growth of plants led to the production of synthetic fertilizers. Pesticides originated from the chemicals developed for use in World War II. And advancements in transportation technology and shipping networks made it possible for distribution of fresh fruits and vegetables to be shipped long distances without going bad.