Reduce Your Food Miles
It’s been roughly 12,000 years since humans transitioned from largely nomadic, hunter-gatherer lifestyles to permanent settlements centered around agriculture and livestock. In modern times, however, food itself has become nomadic: Food products typically travel more than 1,300 miles in the United States. With that in mind, one of the most proactive ways to reduce your food’s carbon footprint is to source it locally.
South Florida boasts some of the best farmers markets around. The Farmers Market at Merrick Park and the Surfside Farmers Market operate seasonally, but the Lincoln Road Farmers Market is held every Sunday. “South Florida’s farmers markets are extremely vibrant,” says Laurie Landgrebe of Laurie’s Pantry granola, a staple in the farmers market scene. “You’ll not only find the best products in the community but also in the country.”
Another way to source locally is through a community-supported agriculture (CSA) subscription. In this direct-to-consumer model, participants receive weekly, biweekly, or monthly boxes of a farm’s freshest greens, fruits, vegetables, and herbs. And, while greenhouse gas emissions from plant-based foods are considerably lower than those from animals, a sustainable alternative for carnivores is a beef share from purveyors such as South Florida’s Sol City Farm.
Green-thumbed residents can also dwindle their food miles down to zero by establishing an urban garden. Professionals like Jason “Farmer Jay” McCobb offer services to help homeowners design and build sustainable gardens. And if you’re concerned with reducing single-use plastics within your food consumption, consider bringing your own containers to Verde Market’s zero-waste grocery stores in Fort Lauderdale and Miami. Stock up on more than 300 items, including beans, seeds, grains, nuts, dried fruits, milk, pasta, flours, spices, coffees, oils, and vinegar, which are all sold at their tare weight.
Pro Tip: Avoid a north-facing garden.
“From September to May the Earth starts to tilt, and walls, fences, and buildings will cast long shadows to the north,” McCobb says. “If you plant a north-facing garden, it might not see any sunlight until spring. You want to avoid the north and opt for a garden facing the east, west, or south. A south-facing garden is going to be the hottest garden with the most sunlight.”
Try This: Local CSA Programs
- Aloha Redland, Homestead
- Empower Farms, Florida City
- Imagine Farms, Miami
- Kai-Kai Farm, Indiantown
- Nana’s Greene CSA, Homestead
- The Sacred Space, Miami
- Swank Specialty Produce, Loxahatchee
- Tiny Farm, Miami
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