A strawberry’s journey – 4900 kilometres from California to Toronto

A strawberry’s journey: From West to feast

By Catherine Porter
Environment Reporter
Toronto Star Jun 21, 2009

Excerpt.

“Food-miles” became a hot subject a few years ago. It wasn’t long ago that cities like Toronto largely fed themselves. But now, the average pear you buy has travelled 6,000 kilometres.

Although vilified by locavores, food travelling long distances by truck doesn’t necessarily result in more greenhouse gases. On a per-pound basis, an 18-wheeler emits one-fifteenth the carbon dioxide of a delivery van heading to a local farmers’ market.

The latest studies reveal the distance food travels by truck matters less than how that food was produced. The second biggest energy-hog in the system is the consumer. How many people across North America will drive to grocery stores to buy these strawberries, chuck them in the fridge and a week later throw them out uneaten?

But still, when compared to local produce grown in season, imported fruit usually loses, hands-down. And that’s not including the additional spin-offs – local jobs, food security, green space.

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