This document discusses the environmental impacts of importing food long distances versus buying locally. It notes that the average American meal contains ingredients from 5 different countries, and importing fruits and vegetables by airplane into California alone released over 70,000 tons of CO2 in 2005. Buying locally reduces fuel consumption, global warming pollution, and supports the local economy and environment by having fresher, less emissions-intensive food. Making more of an effort to buy locally grown food can help address issues of energy use, pollution, and food security.
4. If you were to take a look,
you would notice that your pepper
is from California
It was picked 4-7 days ago,
& Traveled about 1500 miles
to get to your supermarket
Now its on your plate.
5. Or it could be from Mexico
Asia
Canada
even South America
6. the typical prepared meal in America
contains ingredients from at least
5
countries outside of the U.S.
7. The resulting pollution from the miles food
travel from production to plate,
increase substantially
when we import from around the world
8. In 2005,
import of fruits, nuts and veggies
into California by airplane
released more than 70,000 tons of CO2
That’s equivalent to more than
12,000 cars on the road
9. Currently… energy prices are low
The only factor that supports the
environmentally unfriendly & wasteful
food system our country enjoys
10. Small time family farms
with honest intentions are being shut down
To make way for large scale,
business agriculture
fueled by the government
…Most often with hidden agendas
11. As you may know…
our oil and energy reserves
will not last forever
The Earth’s population will continue to grow
12. As a result…
More food will be demanded
Putting a greater demand on our already
strained agriculture and environment
13. Soon,
we will be forced to reevaluate
the ways in which we feed our world
14. We will need to place a greater emphasis on
energy efficiency
&small scale sustainable farms
Exactly like the ones that we outsource presently
15. Unfortunately,
our current agricultural methods are destroying
and polluting our land and water supplies
Our health is suffering
from the pollution we are creating
16. Our food security is being threatened
with no one else to blame but ourselves
17. Pollution from Importing food out of country
is putting a strain on
our environment & our health
We are already doing irreversible damage
Why are we allowing it to worsen?
18. Purchasing local food
is the best and easiest choice
for minimizing global warming & other pollutants
19. by choosing local produce, you reduce:
fuel consumption
global warming pollution
help lift local agricultural communities,
strengthen the local economy
&protect the environment
all while eating fresher, tastier fruits and veggies
20. when you combine all locally grown food,
Less CO2emissions are released in transport
than any one imported product
21. Next time you’re in the market consider:
How far has the fruit/veggie traveled
to reach your plate?
How much energy and fossil fuels were spent
to transport that product?
22. Look at the label on the product
Some markets support local growers
by selling their products in store
23. To learn more visit the following helpful sites :
www.nrdc.org/foodmiles
www.localharvest.org
Editor's Notes
Title page
introduction
Statistical evidence about increasing e-coli, gmo foods, health scares and percentage of imported food
Include statistical information
All slides will go smoothly together like a commercial. There will be pictures on the slides as the backgrounds behind the dialogue as well as a song playing throughout the video. Will add some more information on CSA programs as well as slides with specific statistical data to support the cause
