Where does your tomato come from? Or that out-of-season lychee? Have you thought of the distances it has travelled, from grower to the supermarket and then to your table? And does this really matter?
Well, yes. Transport of foodstuffs adds to the use of fuels and increases the number of semi-trailers on our highways and in our towns. A study in Britain, which calculated the hidden costs of farming and food transport, has found that buying locally grown food is preferable to buying food that has been transported long distances.
While locally-grown organic food is best, non-organic local produce is next greenest - and much more earth-friendly than organic food transported over long distances. The least earth-friendly products are imported from overseas and grown with pesticides in areas of recently cleared forest.
"The most political act we do on a daily basis is to eat, as our actions affect farms, landscapes and businesses," said study co-author, Jules Pretty, of the University of Essex. The study authors called on supermarkets to label items with the number of 'food miles' each item of produce has travelled.
Where to find locally grown produce in the Clarence:
Narvi - Duke St carpark, Grafton (next to Mitre 10) - open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday - Organic and chemical-free food specialists.
Berry's - Skinner St, South Grafton - open Monday to Saturday.
Farmers Market - Market Square, Grafton - 1st and 3rd Thursdays each month.
Roadside/back garden stalls in Ryan St and Turf St (watch for black-board specials).
Remember to try and buy locally manufactured food as well - favour locally owned bakers such as Henwoods (Grafton Mall), Hanks (Prince St) and Jacaranda Bakery Prince St).
-Janet
