 What is a food mile?  Processed food travels, on average, 1300 miles prior to being consumed  Fresh produce travels, on average, 1500 miles before it is consumed

 The container ship connection  The American trucking industry  Trucks and pollution

1. Very few of us eat seasonally-based diets 2. NAFTA has relaxed importation regulations 3. Foreign-grown produce is often more affordable than domestic produce MNCs control 50% of the American food industry

We can… 1. Join a CSA 2. Buy produce from farmers’ markets 3. Try to eat foods when they are in-season 4. To to eat fewer processed foods 5. Frequent restaurants that serve locally- grown foods 6. Ask local restaurants to serve more local food

We can also… 7. Take fewer trips to the grocery store 8. Learn to dry, jam and can 9. Plant a garden or join a community garden 10. Talk to political officials about food issues 11. Try to raise awareness about food issues

I urge us all to…  Take baby steps  Make a small effort to support local farmers  Learn more about food issues