Collecting Info on Food Miles

From the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service:

"The vast majority of energy used in the U.S. food system (around 80 percent) goes to processing, packaging, transporting, storing, and preparing food.

Produce in the U.S. travels, on average, 1300 - 2000 miles from farm to consumer. Since 1970, truck shipping has dramatically increased, replacing more energy efficient transportation by rail and water.

Local food systems can reduce "food miles" and transportation costs, offering significant energy savings. Consumers also benefit from fresher, better-tasting, and more nutritious food, while more food dollars stay within rural communities."


The Story of Local Lucy and Traveling Tom


You Tube video on Food Miles


Calculating food miles: Using weighted average source distances (WASD)
A Weighted Average Source Distance (WASD) is used to calculate a single distance figure that combines information on the distances from production to point of sale and the amount of food product transported.8 The formula for the WASD is:
S (m(k) x d(k)) WASD = ——————
S m(k) where:
k = different location points of the production
m = weight (amount) from each point of production, and
d = distance from each point of production to each point of use (or sale).