Food for thought

Did you know that the minimum distance that North American produce typically travels from farm to plate is 1500 miles? I didn’t. When Alisa Smith and James MacKinnon discovered this they decided to try an experiment. For one year, they bought or gathered their food and drink from within 100 miles of their apartment in Vancouver, British Columbia. To find out more, go to their website, The 100 Mile Diet. There is also a nifty tool on the website where you can map your own 100-mile radius.



I've noticed in my own local supermarket signs advertising locally grown produce. I've also for the first time started noting where produce is grown. Apples from Washington state or Chile? It makes choosing between all those different kinds of apples easier.

Here are some other ideas to try:

Shop at a local farmers market. We are lucky here in the Los Angeles area to have so many.

Make a day of it and visit a local farm to see what they have to offer.

Prepare a 100 Mile Diet meal for family or friends.

Try the 100 Mile Diet for a day and discover what challenges it brings.