Food Miles - Still on the Road to Ruin?

Five years on from the initial report into the impact of food miles, this update assesses how the debate has moved on. It includes: updated statistics and analysis of the effects of pollution, packaging, processing; biodiversity and nutrition; a review of local alternatives and recommendations for action.

See also the original 1994 Food Miles report, republished by Sustain in 2011 with a new foreword by Vicki Hird of Friends of the Earth and Jeanette Longfield of Sustain, who both contributed to the original report

Report contents

Introduction 

Why run a Food Miles Campaign? 

Some Food Miles facts

• Misery miles 

Is our food still travelling further? 

The effect of more Food Miles

• Transport pollution 
• More packaging 
• More processing 
• Biodiversity loss 
• Agro-chemical use 
• Nutritional implications 
• Implications for producers 
• The implications for developing countries 

Campaign update and the industry and government response

• Checking out the supermarkets 
• Local alternatives 
• Direct retailing 
• Regional focus groups 
• Growing your own 

Recommendations for action

• Action by individuals 
• Action by farmers and growers 
• Action by food retailers and processors 
• Action by local authorities 
• Action by national governments 

Contact List

• Box schemes and farmers’ markets 
• Seeds and advice on growing your own fruit and vegetables 
• Transport campaigns 
• Fair Trade and developing country initiatives 
• Farm shops 
• Major retailers 
• Regional promotions 

References