How to Reduce Food Miles

Saving our natural resources, especially oil and gas, remains the duty of anyone who drives. Additional ways to reduce miles involves eliminating the distance food products travel. Buying imported foods not only reduces the local farming industry but also adds considerable waste of energy. Implementing ways to reduce these food miles remains a viable means of conservation.

Instructions

• 1

  Find food products produced in your local or state area. Go to any Department of Agriculture for the state's webpage listing food items grown and produced locally.

• 2

  Buy local products to reduce food miles resulting from the additional fuel cost of importing the items. Consider a change in diet for items you normally don't eat.

• 3

  Visit local farmer's markets. Throughout the growing season these markets typically set-up in designated areas each year. Local growers bring their fresh produce and other items. Check your local newspaper under "Community Events" or contact your city hall for set-ups, times and dates.

• 4

  Look in your local newspaper's want ads for advertisements pertaining to "pick-your-own" fruits and vegetables. Some of the farms offer additional family orientated events and educational settings.

• 5

  Consider taking a friend when grocery shopping. Using one vehicle reduces food miles. Alternate the use of vehicles for each excursion.

• 6

  Make fewer trips to the grocery store by buying more food items each time. If you shop weekly, consider bi-weekly.

• 7

  Plant a garden each year. Growing your own food reduces food miles by eliminating trips to the grocery store and the costs of transporting from distant locations. It also ensures a fresh and safe harvest.