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I finally got why people push for local food after a chat with a farmer near Eugene

I was at the Saturday market in Eugene last month and this old farmer told me his broccoli travels 200 miles less than the stuff at the grocery store. He said a single truck of veggies from California burns 50 gallons of diesel to get here. That hit me because I always thought buying local was more about taste or supporting small business. Now I actually look at labels and try to get stuff grown within 50 miles when I can. Anybody else have a moment like that where a simple number changed your view?
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fiona_sullivan29
That broccoli fact would change anyone's mind honestly, but what got me thinking is the 50 gallons of diesel number. Like, did he tell you if that's just for ONE trip or does that count the whole supply chain from the farm to the warehouse to the store? Because I read somewhere that a lot of those trucks make multiple stops and the real fuel burn is way higher per head of lettuce or whatever. Also, did he happen to mention how much of that California broccoli actually gets thrown out before it even reaches shelves? I feel like the waste part is the hidden piece nobody talks about.
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miam11
miam1115d ago
That broccoli fact would change anyone's mind honestly.
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