A study published at Iowa State University this year found that transport was responsible for just 4 per cent of greenhouse gases produced during the life cycle of food. Production accounted for 83 per cent. What people eat is more important than where it comes from, the researchers found. Giving up red meat one day a week would be more effective in reducing climate change than shopping locally for everything. Full article

This article brings up a good point about examining the way we make our food choices--are they based on food miles, food production practices, or the types of food chosen.  Based on the information presented from the study, decreasing food miles appears to have less of an impact, but only if you are looking at greenhouse gases and impacts on climate change. 

This article leaves out some of the many other benefits from eating close to home such as:

• The preservation of local farmland, wildlife habitat and open space
• The preservation of local agricultural practices, customs and knowledge
• The relocalization of our food economy and other economic benefits
• The benefits from connecting consumers (children and adults) to local growers and agricultural producers
• The taste and nutritional benefits from fresher foods

Although this article brings up an important point that food miles should not be the sole focus for a more sustainable food system, the above benefits from eating locally should not be ignored.