July 2009

The Palladium-Item in Richmond published an article today about taking advantage of locally grown food : 1,500 miles. That is how far the average food item travels before reaching your plate. Imagine a cross-country trip with your family. The cost to fuel your vehicle, keep your family cool, and the wear and tear it takes on your vehicle and your family. This is the typical journey of a large variety of food items. For items such as fresh fruits and vegetables, 1,500 miles can do a number on the quality and freshness of those items. The amount of fuel burned and pollution emitted from the journey of out-of-season bananas from Costa Rica consume a great deal of fuel and other natural resources. You can read the full article , or view the local food directory ( hosted here at ProgressiveWayneCounty.org ) mentioned in the paper. Thanks to Stephanie Hays-Mussoni for putting this article together!