Checking the Food Odometer: Comparing Food Miles for Local versus Conventional Produce Sales to Iowa Institutions

July 2003

Rich Pirog, Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, and Andrew Benjamin, ISU graduate student

This analysis found that locally grown produce traveled an average of 56 miles from farm to point of sale, compared to an average of 1,494 miles for 30 types of produce from conventional sources.

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The Leopold Center was established by the 1987 Iowa Groundwater Protection Act as a research and education center at Iowa State University to develop sustainable agricultural practices that are both profitable and conserve natural resources. Iowa State does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. Vietnam Era Veteran. Any persons having inquiries concerning this may contact the Director of Affirmative Action, 3210 Beardshear Hall, (515) 294-7612.

This page was found at http://www.leopold.iastate.edu/pubs-and-papers/2003-07-food-odometer on 01/21/2013