Discover(ing) Sustainability

One of the claims for eating locally has been that it helps reduce climate impacts caused by the transportation of food over long distances. A recent study by Carnegie Mellon University researchers has called into question this claim, however, showing that transportation of food is a minor contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (11%) as compared to actual food production (83%). What’s more, the researchers found that the production of some food contributes more to GHG emissions than other types of food.

So what are the largest contributors? You guessed it – red meat and dairy products. In fact, according to the researchers, “Shifting less than one day per week’s worth of calories from red meat and dairy products to chicken, fish, eggs, or a vegetable-based diet achieves more GHG reduction than buying all locally sourced food.”

But while buying locally might not have as great an impact as previously thought on reducing GHG emissions, there are still many other important reasons to choose local foods. For example, buying local supports community economic development, helping communities sustain their livelihood and character. It provides access to the freshest food available, enhancing taste and reducing food waste. And it strengthens our food community, encouraging social networks and food security in our communities and regions. Not only that, but knowing where your food comes from can help you advocate for lower-carbon production methods in your community, such as reducing fertilizer usage, no-till agriculture methods, and pasture-based livestock systems.