by Heather Vaughan, L.Ac., MSOM
Let’s start with a story. While we like to consider ourselves sustainability-savvy here at FreshPure® Waters, it’s when we’re out in the world, talking to you, our customers, and our grocery partners’ staff that we find the true gems. Take Ellwood Thompson’s in Richmond, Virginia, for example. We learned about food miles while visiting this beautiful store. We asked Assistant Store Manager, Leslie, to elaborate.
“We’re so happy with the water itself and with your service.
So many of our customers find us because of the water, which is so nice because they always buy a few other things when they come in. It’s a great “bringer-in” of customers. We love that.
It’s also aligned with our low food miles program. We source from local farms, all less than 100 miles away, and I’m sure the sustainable way your water is set up played a huge role in the store’s choice to bring FreshPure® Waters in. Our customers love it.”
Leslie, Assistant Store Manager, Ellwood Thompsons
The concept of food miles lit us up. Why? Food miles include every mile food and beverages travel before you present a hearty meal at the dinner table or devour a juicy peach in the car. But, it doesn’t stop there: calculations also include how far food waste and leftovers travel away from your table, meaning, to the landfill. This concept is crucial in understanding the environmental impact of our shopping choices. As climate change progresses and more attention is being drawn to the importance of carbon neutrality and protecting our precious water sources, this concept is gaining recognition as an excellent way to contextualize energy use when it comes to the food we eat every day.
Taking it a step further, have you ever considered “Water Miles?” It dawned on us that by purifying water on site at your local natural foods store, FreshPure® Waters comes in at a whopping zero (yes, you read that right) water miles!
In this article, we’ll unpack the concept of food miles from source to natural foods grocery stores and apply this important measurement to different sources of purified water.
Food Miles from Farm to Grocery Store: Local Produce vs. Large Farms
Not surprisingly, local produce typically has a shorter food mile count than far-away counterparts, significantly reducing its carbon footprint. For example, vegetables and fruits grown within a hundred miles of a natural foods store only travel a short distance, minimizing emissions associated with transportation.
In contrast, produce from large farms in Mexico or various states across the US depending on your location have a significantly higher food mile count. For instance, strawberries grown in Mexico and shipped to the U.S. can travel over 1,500 miles before reaching the grocery store. Valencia Oranges from Southern California travel 3,000 miles to be sold on the East Coast. This extensive transportation increases carbon emissions and raises concerns about the freshness of the produce.
Processed Food Miles
Processed foods often have significantly higher food miles compared to their fresh counterparts due to the complex supply chains involved in their production. Unlike fresh produce, which might be sourced locally, processed foods generally undergo multiple stages of manufacturing, packaging, and distribution across various regions before reaching consumers. Ingredients for processed foods may be sourced from different parts of the world, assembled in specialized factories, and then transported over long distances to distribution centers and retail outlets. For example, a single processed snack might include ingredients grown in different countries, assembled in one location, and then shipped globally. This intricate and extended supply chain contributes to a substantial carbon footprint, as each step in the journey adds to the overall food miles and environmental impact of the product. This dramatically increases the carbon footprint of processed foods over whole foods.
Case Study: Ellwood Thompson’s and Food Miles
Ellwood Thompson’s in Richmond, Virginia, is a natural foods market known for its commitment to local and sustainable practices. Their focus on sourcing locally grown produce has provided valuable insights into the environmental benefits of reducing food miles.
For example, by prioritizing local farms, Ellwood Thompson’s ensures that their fruits and vegetables travel only a short distance from farm to store, less than 100 miles. This local sourcing not only supports regional agriculture but also significantly reduces the carbon footprint associated with transportation. The store’s commitment to transparency allows customers to understand the journey of their food, reinforcing the importance of supporting local economies and minimizing environmental impact.
Water Miles: The Journey of Purified Water
Just like food, the journey of bottled water can significantly impact its environmental footprint. Let’s examine different sources of purified water and their associated food miles.
Bottled Water Miles
Large corporate brands source their water from various locations, often from large-scale commercial operations. Nestle, for example, uses multiple sources around the world, including both domestic and international locations. Depending on the source, this can mean water travels thousands of miles before it reaches consumers.
Some large companies source water primarily from municipal supplies, but the bottling plants and distribution centers can be spread out, adding to the food miles.
Bottled Artisan Spring Water
Artisan spring waters, often collected from pristine, natural springs, can vary widely in food miles. Some artisan spring waters are bottled close to their source, reducing their carbon footprint. However, those that are transported internationally, like some premium brands, can have significant food miles.
Across the Oceans
Some niche artisan waters are sourced from overseas. Those are sourced from aquifers on remote islands or specific alpine locations are transported by ship to various global markets. Given the considerable distance from source to many parts of the world, food miles for these waters in particular are notably high, contributing to a larger environmental impact compared to local or regional water sources.
Zero Water Miles (Yes, it’s possible!)
On-site water filtration systems, like those offered by FreshPure® Waters, provide the most sustainable choice available. By filtering water on-site, FreshPure® Waters offers an eco-friendly solution that eliminates the need for bottled water and its associated food miles.
Our approach not only supports sustainability but also provides you with options for three types of high-quality water. FreshPure® Waters uses advanced technologies including activated coconut carbon, reverse osmosis, deionization, and permanent alkalization for the ultimate sustainable source of water. In fact, if you’re a bottled alkaline water devotee, please consider switching away from single-use plastic to reduce your personal carbon footprint. Just bring in your empty bottles, and fill them up! Oh, and refilling your bottles is about 1/16th the cost of bottled alkaline water.
Beyond Carbon Neutral
FreshPure® Waters is proud to take carbon neutrality to the next level by offsetting all carbon and water used in our process. We invest resources in Water Restoration, restoring watersheds for a hydrated future. In collaboration with the Bonneville Environmental Foundation, we invest resources in watershed rehabilitation, targeting freshwater areas in need of conservation and restoration. Our efforts are focused on groundwater conservation and replenishment, water quality improvement, and wildlife and habitat protection. Like our colleagues at Bonneville, we believe that our water, climate, and energy challenges are urgent and solvable.
We invite you to learn more about our Water Restoration projects in the Southwest by visiting this page, where you can learn about the specific locations we’re working on right now.
Understanding food miles helps us make informed decisions about our food and water consumption. By choosing local produce and sustainable food and water options, such as on-site filtration systems like FreshPure® Waters, we can reduce our environmental impact and contribute to a healthier planet. Each choice we make has the potential to drive positive change, making our food and water systems more sustainable for future generations.
P.S. If you’re in Virginia, swing by Ellwood Thompsons!
Sources:
- Garnett, T. (2011). “Where are the best places to get your food?” Food Climate Research Network. Retrieved from foodclimate.org
- Coley, D., Howard, M., & Winter, M. (2009). “Local food, food miles and carbon emissions: A comparison of farm shop and mass distribution approaches.” Food Policy, 34(2), 150-
- Ellwood Thompson’s: Visit their official website or contact them directly for specific case studies and their sourcing practices. Ellwood Thompson’s
- Nestlé Waters North America. (2021). “About Us.” Retrieved from Nestlé Waters North America
- New York Times. (2021). “Nestlé’s Water Business: A History of Growth and Controversy.” Retrieved from NYT
- PepsiCo. (2021). “Aquafina.” Retrieved from PepsiCo Aquafina
- Consumer Reports. (2018). “Bottled Water: Aquafina vs. Dasani.” Retrieved from Consumer Reports
- Evian. (2021). “Our Source.” Retrieved from Evian
- Forbes. (2020). “The Evian Story: How a French Water Became a Global Brand.” Retrieved from Forbes
- Spring Water Guide. (2022). “What Is Artisan Spring Water?” Retrieved from Spring Water Guide
- Fiji Water. (2021). “About Us.” Retrieved from Fiji Water
- Reuters. (2018). “Fiji Water: The Business of Bottled Water.” Retrieved from Reuters
- FreshPure® Waters. (2024). “Our Filtration Technologies.” Retrieved from FreshPure® Waters