From a November 21st press release from the NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council):

This holiday season meal planners have another good reason to choose locally grown food, according to a national conservation group. A new analysis by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) shows that transporting foods shorter distances results in less smog-forming and global warming pollution.

“Many home cooks and restaurant chefs already know that local food is fresher and tastier,” said Dr. Gina Solomon, a physician and senior scientist at NRDC. “But there’s another good reason to choose locally grown food: it’s healthier for people and our planet.”

Most produce in the United States travels an average of 1,500 miles before being sold, according to NRDC. The distance traveled is even higher when food is shipped across the globe. “The typical American meal contains ingredients from at least five countries outside the United States,” said Solomon. “Those food miles all add up, and the result is more pollution, threatening the air we breathe and our planet’s climate.”

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Consumers can prepare tastier meals while reducing pollution by looking for local foods with help from a new feature on the NRDC web site. They can look up their state and time of year to find out what foods are in season locally. (See www.nrdc.org/health/foodmiles/) For example, in Northern California in late November there are dozens of local foods to choose from, including almonds, artichokes, carrots and oranges. In New York State, this time of year is good for apples, broccoli, cabbage and turnips.

The NRDC web site offers other tips such as shopping for food at farmers markets. That’s not just good for the environment and public health; it also benefits family farmers, as well as the local economy. When shopping elsewhere the group advises checking labels to identify foods that traveled shorter distances. Another suggestion: people can ask their favorite grocery stores and restaurants to carry more local foods.

Happy, healthy holidays!