Report: 'Food, Fuel, and Freeways'

Posted by: Abhijeet Chavan
Thanks to: A.G. Flynn

22 August 2001 - 7:00am

How far does food travel before it gets to your table? A study titled "Food, Fuel, and Freeways" looks at potential fuel savings and CO2 emission reductions of local and regional food systems.

This work by the Leopold Center "compares the miles traveled by 28 fresh produce items that are grown in Iowa, including broccoli, lettuce, grapes and potatoes, in local, regional and conventional systems. The report also compared fuel usage and CO2 emissions in the three systems." The report asks the question "Would there be transportation fuel savings and reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2)emissions if more food were produced and distributed in local and regional food systems?" [PDF format, 37 pages, 248 KB]

Full Story: "Food, Fuel, and Freeways: An Iowa perspective on how far food travels, fuel usage, and greenhouse gas emissions.

Source: Leopold Center For Sustainable Agriculture, June 1, 2001