Food Travel Miles: How Far Will It Go

Hey there, fellow sustainability enthusiasts! Have you ever wondered about the journey your food takes before it reaches your plate? In this post, we're going to introduce you to the concept of "food travel miles" and discuss the impact it has on our environment. So, buckle up and let's get started!

What are Food Travel Miles?

Food travel miles, also known as "food miles," refer to the distance that food travels from its production site to your plate. With globalization and the constant demand for out-of-season produce, the average meal travels 1,500 miles (2,500 kilometers) before it lands on your table. For some context, that’s as far as driving to Houston to Toronto (a 23 hour drive). That's A LOT of land, and it has significant consequences for our planet. 

Environmental Impact

The long distances that food travels to reach our plates generate a substantial carbon footprint. This is due to the greenhouse gas emissions produced during transportation, primarily from trucks, planes, and ships. Not only does this contribute to climate change, but it also affects air quality and increases traffic congestion.

What Can You Do?

At Just Vertical, we love to be solution focused. Thankfully, we have one of the best answers around. Growing your own food is one of the best ways to reduce your food travel miles and minimize your environmental impact. When you grow your own food, it doesn't have to travel far to get to your plate – just a few steps from your garden or even your windowsill! 1,500 miles can become 150 steps if you focus on locally grown, at-home produce. 

Just Vertical: Your Partner in Local Food

At Just Vertical, we're committed to helping you reduce your food travel miles by enabling you to grow your own food right at home. Our vertical hydroponic gardens are perfect for folks like you who are looking to produce fresh, local, and sustainable food without the need for a large outdoor space. Plus, our systems have a whole heap of other benefits including aesthetic value (we think they look great), increased concentration and memory, stress reduction, and more.

Get Growing Today!

Now that you're aware of the impact that food travel miles have on our environment, it's time to make a change. Start by growing your own food using our Just Vertical gardens, and enjoy the benefits of fresher, more sustainable, and locally-sourced produce.

Together, let's make a positive impact on our planet, one delicious meal at a time!