Have you ever wondered how far your food travels?
Food miles describe how far food travels from where it is grown or made to where it is eaten. The longer the distance, the more fuel is needed to transport it by trucks, ships or planes. This increases greenhouse gas emissions and contributes to climate change.
In Victoria, some food travels long distances even though it could be produced closer to home. Research shows that a typical Melbourne shopping basket can include food that has travelled more than 70,000 kilometres* in total when items come from many different countries.
For example, apples grown in the Goulburn Valley travel only a few hundred kilometres to Melbourne, while imported apples can travel more than 10,000 kilometres. You can try this food miles calculator using some of your favourite foods.
Here are some ways to reduce the distance your food travels:
- Buy local and seasonal food
- Shop at farmers’ markets or local shops
- Look for “Product of Australia” labels
- Grow herbs or vegetables at home
If you do have food waste, put it in the Food and Garden Organics bin where it will be turned into compost.
*2007 preliminary study conducted by CERES (Centre for Education and Research in Environmental Strategies) in Melbourne.