Why Eat Local?

Consequences of the Global Food System

• The U.S. spends $139 BILLION each year just to TRANSPORT our food (17% of our total energy use).

• Your average bite travels 1,500 miles to get to your table.

• In 1940, 1 calorie of fossil fuel produced 2.3 calories of food. Today, 10 calories of fossil fuel produce 1 calorie of food.

• The cost of food is now linked to the price of oil. As oil prices rise, so too will the cost of food.

• In 1900, farmers kept 40 cents of each food dollar. Today they
keep only 7 cents.

• Corporate agribusinesses’ profits have doubled since 1990.

• The U.S. has lost 240 million acres of viable farmland since 1970.

• Two companies control 75% of grain distribution worldwide.

• 60% of all U.S. retail food sales goes to just 5 supermarket chains.

• Since 1950, riboflavin (vitamin B2) levels in conventional grocery store produce have declined 38%.

• One large hog Confined Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) produces as much sewage as a city of 100,000 people.

• More than 100,000 U.S. families lost their farms between 1996 and 2001.

Source: Clallam Grown!