Don’t go the extra mile: is local food better for the environment?

<p>Almost a third of global greenhouse gas emissions are connected to food production. Does where you buy your fruit and vegetables still matter?</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/series/change-by-degrees">Change by degrees</a> offers life hacks and sustainable living tips each Saturday to help reduce your household’s carbon footprint</p></li><li><p>Got a question or tip for reducing household emissions? Email us at <a href="mailto:changebydegrees@theguardian.com">changebydegrees@theguardian.com</a></p></li></ul><p>Food miles – the distance between farm, factory and plate – gained prominence in the early 2000s. The idea was that longer, more complex supply chains caused higher emissions than food sourced closer to home. The simple solution? Buy locally grown and shop nearby.</p><p>The intervening decades have underlined other environmental concerns with the modern food system, from the emissions associated with animal agriculture to the problems of food and packaging waste.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/oct/10/support-local-food-producers-environment">Continue reading...</a>