The 100 Mile Diet: an examination of the evidence

Here is an article by Richard Reesor of our community, who shared it in our adult Sunday School class on Sunday. It has sparked lots of good reflection and discussion - we're hoping it can continue on this blog!

Richard writes:

I have noted recently many articles published in the media encouraging a movement towards local eating spawned in part by the book entitled “The 100 Mile Diet”. The introduction to the “100 Mile Diet” contains the following quotes,

“The year of eating locally began with one beautiful meal and one ugly statistic…According to the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University, the food we eat now typically travels between 1500 and 3000 miles from farm to plate.”

The writers go on to chronicle a year of eating food only produced within 100 miles of their Vancouver apartment. They provide an interesting collection of anecdotes describing their quest for a local diet. The message I took from the book is that this diet comes with significant sacrifice, but in the interest of building community and in the interest of the environment, society should move towards this model of a food production system. Indeed, many readers have picked up on this message, and in particular, they have picked up on the environmental message. A recent article I read makes the following claims,

“ ..in Manitoba, the average food ingredient travels 2000 km…the implications of our long-distance diet aren’t solely economic. They come with severe environmental costs…”

I am a farmer in the business of producing fresh produce and transporting it long distances, so I am interested when people write about such issues – especially when they imply these activities are unjust. Over the past couple of years I have read many similar articles making similar claims, and so I began to question my own integrity as a producer of food which is largely consumed in distant markets. (This is the case for most Canadian farmers – especially Canadian grain, oilseed , pork and beef producers.) As I thought more about the question, I decided to try to calculate the actual environmental cost of transporting food that I produced. I came up with some surprising findings. Relying on my experience with the business and a basic understanding of the science of CO2 emissions, I will share with you the following evidence:

1) A typical trip for a load of fresh fruits and vegetables arriving in Canada by truck travels 1500 miles. Typical trucks carrying produce consume 200 gallons of fuel during a trip of this length.

2) A typical load of produce traveling by truck over long distances weighs 40,000 lbs.

3) A typical serving of produce weighs 4 ounces. Therefore, the load carries 160,000 servings. At an average of 6 servings per day, this is enough produce to feed one person for 73 years, or most of a lifetime. (160,000/6/365)

4) The emissions created from combusting 200 gallons of fuel roughly equates to 1 tonne of CO2. At current prices, the cost of sequestering this carbon is about $20. This is a rough estimate of the cost of the pollution created by consuming only fruits and vegetables produced by a 1500 mile diet for a lifetime.

To summarize, if an individual in good faith took the advice of the food miles logic, and bought only fruits and vegetables produced locally rather than imported from outside Canada, in a lifetime this consumer would save 1 tonne of emissions currently valued at $20 – all things being equal.

However, all things are not equal. If this consumer decides to eat only locally produced fruits and vegetables, then we must presume that this person will eat preserved locally grown produce when fresh is not available. In fact, this is the advice contained in books like the 100 Mile Diet. The flaw in the logic of this argument is that the energy required to preserve and store vegetables to sustain us between harvests is missing from the equation. I suspect this energy is greater than the energy it takes to produce fresh vegetables and transport them from southern climates in our winter months. For example, a typical truck load of fresh fruit or vegetables is cooled and refrigerated to 3C for 3 days before it is delivered for sale to a grocery store. If we froze the same 40,000 lbs of locally produced fruits and vegetables and stored at minus 20C for an average of 6 months, sure we would save transport energy, but the energy required to freeze and store the vegetables I suspect would be far greater than the energy saved in transport. Likewise, if we preserve by canning, we must calculate the energy required to bring 40,000 lbs of produce to a rolling boil for 3 minutes and compare that with the energy consumed by transporting fresh produce as calculated above.

I would now like to take the discussion one step further. I would like to add the fact that ocean freight transport is more energy efficient than truck transport by a factor of roughly seven. Using this information, we can then extrapolate that food transported by ocean freight as far as 10,000 miles from home can be consumed and the carbon emissions created by transport are no worse than the foods we typically consume in a 1500 mile diet. Further, I will add from my experience working and living in the less developed world, I have observed that foods coming from these economies, generally are produced using significantly less energy than similar foods produced locally here in Canada. Developing world farmers are more likely to rely on human labour and animal traction than fuel burning machinery to till the soil and control weeds in their crops. Also, they are less likely to utilize energy intensive synthetic fertilizers opting to use compost and manures instead.

Moreover, the natural growing conditions of tropical climates allow the cultivation of perennial crops such as sugar cane rather than annual crops such as corn to produce similar food stuffs such as sugar much more efficiently. As an example, I am told that ethanol produced from sugar cane is 70% more energy efficient than ethanol produced from annual crops such as Canadian corn. Indeed, it is so much more efficient that Canadian ethanol producers are asking the Canadian government to erect trade barriers against Brazilian ethanol imports so Canadian producers can compete. Is it just to deny these ethanol producers and other less developed world farmers the right to sell their products to developed world consumers, especially in light of the energy and emissions savings possible from consuming their products?

There are many more issues and exceptions I could discuss. However I think I have said enough to make my point. I believe the logic in the food miles concept is fundamentally flawed. The distance from producer to consumer may be the least important consideration when considering the environmental impact of various food choices. How the food is produced (energy intensive methods vs. low input), how the food is preserved (eaten fresh or sun dried vs. canned or kept in cold storage) how the food is transported (over land or water vs. air freight) and how far the consumer travels to purchase food are more important questions.

Rather than choosing foods to eat based on the distance the food travels, I believe a more just food buying decision making rule would be to buy food with the best value - a combination of price, quality and nutrition - regardless of where it is produced. Further, I choose whenever possible to buy foods coming from the less developed world - when they are of equal or better value. I believe this to be the essence of fair trade. For example, I have no qualms at all about eating basmati rice from India - a sun dried, ocean transported product grown 10,000 miles from my home rather than potatoes grown locally. I believe that when I eat rice sourced from places like India that I am getting good value and contributing to the economic well being of less developed world farmers. Further, the analysis presented would indicate that rather than being severely damaging to the environment, the environmental impact of my buying decision is negligible at worst and may be favourable to eating a local substitute like potatoes.

I present my analysis to help initiate further discussion on this important topic. I welcome feedback and comments.

Best regards,
Richard Reesor
Stouffville, ON
crreesor@hotmail.com

My Money Talks - CD Release!

Bryan, who happens to be a co-moderator of Community Voices, has just released his newest album, My Money Talks. Check out his website to learn about the CD, hear some demo tunes or order the album online! The CDs are also available at the Care and Share Thrift Shop in Stouffville and of course, from Bryan himself.

Come and support Bryan at a CD Release Party on Saturday November 3, at 7:30pm hosted by Community Mennonite Church at Parkview Village Auditorium, 12184 Ninth Line, Stouffville. This is sure to be an evening full of exciting new songs and fellowship!

We are really excited for Bryan's musical ministry and the release of My Money Talks. Way to go!

Benin, West Africa

This is Benin, where Denise will be for the next 3 months.

Off to Benin

Denise writes:

Hi All,

I am two days away from my departure for Benin. I was feeling a bit nervous until this morning when my VISA and passport finally arrived in the mail. Cutting it close...phew.

For those of you unfamiliar with the area, Benin is a small West african country bordered by Togo, Niger, Nigeria, and Burkino Fasa. Though economically poor as a country, Benin has a stable government and for the most part experiences peaceful interactions within its borders and with surrounding countries.

I visited Benin once before during a travel semester with Eastern Mennonite University. While there this time I will be working and living at La Casa Grande, a small orphanage located 50km outside of Cotonou, Benin's largest city. Time will tell what exactly my day at the orphanage will look like but I understand it may involve tasks such as caring for/teaching the kindergarten aged children, helping cook meals, cleaning, planning activities....

This orphanage really is a special place. Take a look at their website for more information.

I will be in Benin until December 11th when I will travel to France and spend a week there before returning to Toronto on the 17th.

Thanks for your interest. I look forward to sharing stories when I return home!

- Denise

thoughts on the Mennonite Church Canada Assembly in Abbotsford

Cameron writes:

If it weren't part of the expectations of my job as pastor of Community Mennonite Church, would I go to a Mennonite Church Canada Assembly?

Usually conferences wear me out, especially when I am a delegate. This is my own fault, as I try to go to as many events as possible while still fulfilling my responsibilities. What has often energized me was being part of heated discussions about issues in the church. It gets my heart pumping. Unfortunately, I often “crash” after such discussions.

This summer's MC Canada Assembly in Abbotsford, B.C. was notable for its lack of controversy. During the discernment sessions, in which we discussed the report of the General Board as well as three “Affirmation Statements”, there was little argument. Many of the sessions simply resulted in people saying, in essence, “We think this is the right direction, we just want the church to be a little bolder in its statements.” (You can have a look at the materials used in the discernment times by clicking here and looking under "Report Book")

I don't think this is a bad thing. Apparently, while I was sojourning in the United States for eight years, there was plenty of controversy in some MC Canada meetings. The Abbotsford Assembly certainly gave the impression that there is a lot that we can agree upon. Often I leave denominational meetings thinking that we sure don't have much in common. So Abbotsford did create a strong sense of unity and that the Mennonite Church does stand together on important issues. Perhaps this is why I came back feeling rejuvenated after the conference.

Of course, there was more to the conference than the delegate sessions. I visited a Sikh temple and heard an explanation of their religion. I got to hear a “preach off,” which was funnier than you might think. I went to a workshop called “Church and Culture: Finding Our Way in an Age of Disorientation,” where I heard about people that are trying to be faithful to the Gospel in creative ways. And there were interesting worship services with speakers from Burkina Faso, First United Spanish Mennonite Church and music led by a Latino band.

So, yes, I will go to another MC Canada Assembly. It certainly keeps me excited about the church.

- Cameron Kauffman-Frey

So long, Farewell

On Monday, July 23rd,we said goodbye to Menno and Lydia as they embark on another journey to Manitoba and then to Kenya. We are going to miss them a lot, but we wish them God's blessing in what lies ahead and hope to visit them in their travels! :)

A singing group sang some lovely tunes for us and we presented them with a beautiful comforter quilt to take with them.

Best wishes Menno and Lydia!

Love, Community Mennonite Church

Biking in the Beaches and Beyond

Sunday afternoon on the 15th of July, a few members of one of the small groups of Community Mennonite Church loaded up their bicycles and headed down to the beautiful Edwards Gardens at Leslie and Lawrence Ave. It is a former estate garden featuring annuals, roses, wildflowers and an extensive rockery. It is located on Wilket Creek, one of the tributaries of the Don River West Branch. Edwards Gardens is one of several parks located in Toronto’s ravines, many of which are connected by hiking and cycling trails ending on the shores of Lake Ontario.

We started the bike trail from Edwards Gardens following the Don River, through beautiful park areas, stopping for a picnic lunch and ending up at Ashbridges Bay at the Beaches. We treated ourselves to an icecream cone and relaxed for a few minutes on the busy boardwalk along Lake Ontario. Many people were out enjoying the warm, summer day and all the activities along the beach area.

As we headed back to Edwards Gardens, we biked along Queen St. which is a fascinating Street. Somewhere along the trail back to the Gardens, we were caught in a downpour of rain. We waited it out for a few minutes under trees and under a bridge, until it cleared again. We returned with nothing more than some sore bottoms, and a great satisfaction of having biked nearly 45 kilometres with friends. We’d do it again!


Julie & Eugene
Norbert & Judy
Donna & Paul

This is what the wheat field looks like now. Soon it will be ready for harvest!

cutting edge

Henry writes:

Did you know that our Cutting Edge group has met almost every month from September to June for several years?

It is almost impossible to characterize our discussions except that they have covered a wide range of writings and sometimes guests. Topics have included:

- conflicts between science and religion
- overlap between science and psychology
- how we experience God
- spirituality
- the new age movement
- the economics of agricultural subsidies
- philosophy of education
- teachings of various religious leaders
- and many others.

Seldom is a specific subject carried over beyond one month. The majority of participants are not members of Community Mennonite Church of Stouffville, and we have had some wonderful opportunities to share perspectives. We are grateful to Gord Alton, the previous pastor at CMCS, for taking the initiative to create a space for this type of conversation.

And now, even as we break for the summer of 2007, we look forward to taking time to be with our friends again, in September. You are welcome to join us for these discussions, if you like!

- Henry

Church Picnic

Yesterday, Community Mennonite Church gathered on a beautiful, grassy hilltop and enjoyed worship, fellowship and food. Our annual church picnic is always a highlight and this year, we were pleased to celebrate the high school graduation of four members.

After the service and blessings to the youth, we shared in the wonderful victuals of summer menus. Our tummies filled, the afternoon brought games and races, driving competitions and a water slide to boot!

Winter Wheat

Here is what one of our Canadian Foodgrains Bank fields of winter wheat looks like today.

For more information, you can check out the Canadian Foodgrains Bank website and Richard's post about the CFGB below.

Stay tuned and watch the wheat field grow!

Derek in Colombia - Part 2

Hey everyone!

Sorry for the long wait.
I have been in a rural community along a river called the Opon and they don’t have electricity or running water, let alone internet. I could easily spend a couple hours talking to you about all I have seen and heard over the last couple days but I will be brief and give you a more detailed account on my return.

We started out visiting the pipe line that takes gasoline from Barrancaberja, where it is refined to the rest of the country. The country’s national gas company produces 50% of this region’s income and 80% of it is produced here in Barrancaberja. There is an illegal group called the Gas Cartel that taps holes into this pipeline and siphons out as much as 25% of the gas passing through it. This gas cartel was originally controlled by the Guerrilla and has recently been taken over by the other illegal armed group called the paramilitary.

The guerrilla armed groups are socialists, desiring to change the political system to a socialist one. They were sort of the voice for the people trying to be heard by a government who wouldn’t listen. They would fight the military and that was the cause of the violence for quite a while. However, over time the military was being accused of causing large amounts of human rights abuses. Mass murders of innocent people were led on their quest to destroy the illusive guerrillas. So with this, the paramilitary was formed. They are sort of a secret arm of the military that carries out the brunt of the human rights violations. They are pretty much the same group though the military denies any connection to the paramilitary. This might be a better angle to look at it. If there is an action that the military wants to do but doesn’t want to be accountable for, they remove their uniforms and go under the alliance terrorist name of the paramilitary. Therefore when accused they can say it wasn’t us it was the paramilitary. And any time they kill anybody they dress them up as guerrillas and say, “Look what we have done…we have killed another one of those horrible guerrilla members.”

That is just the tip of the iceberg, there is still a whole lot of politics in corruption that links to all this. But I won’t get into that in this article. Basically the pipeline is a secret way for the government to finance the paramilitary group, that isn’t traceable.

After our visit to the pipeline we stayed in a Hamlet called la Florida. It was a very pitiful site, merely a bunch of small metal houses, donated by the government, which were mostly uninhabited. There was a once vibrant store, though now abandoned and in decay and also an empty school. Most of the people had left due to the violence. The person who fed us breakfast that day left and moved to the city after she had fed us. The river was in a flood state as it does every rainy season and the whole place was a mud bath.

Peace every one,
Derek

they have decided to follow Jesus...

Today we celebrated with Linda, Jeremy, and Ben, who made a public declaration of their faith and were baptized and welcomed as members of the body of Christ.

And in the afternoon we "showered" Ruth and Krystan as well, in anticipation of their upcoming wedding.

A glorious day!

Derek in Colombia

May 24, 2007

Hola Derek here.

I have arrived in Colombia safely. I was kind of nervous about flying to Colombia all by myself but it went real well. I was blown away by the aid I received. Everyone was very helpful. I met a woman at the transfer at Huston who was going to the same gate as me so we hung out during the lay over and she helped me to the gate. She also taught me some spanish. On the flight to Colombia I was sitting with two people who were only a few years older than me and who were fluent in both Spanish and English and they helped me across the border. Wednesday night I felt rough but today I was fine, I was stuffed jam packed with information. The synopsis will be sent in a few days.

Well I gotta go the internet cafe is closing ciao.
Derek

May 26, 2007

Hola everyone, Derek here.

I am still working hard on learning Spanish but it's hard.
This past day was amazing, we went to a rally in Bogotá put on by students and teachers to protest the government cutting back on the education fund; it was quiet incredible. I had never been to a rally before.

After that we went to a part of Bogotá where displaced people were staying.
I have never been in such a poor district. We stopped at a place that organizes after school programs. And non violence. Everyone was so happy and welcoming. I really felt a calling to help these kids, to help them since they have so much potential to make a difference. A few of us played soccer with their neighbourhood kids. It kind of hit me while I was playing that some of the kids I was playing with will be killed in the next few years as part of social cleansing and many who aren’t will be drafted into the paramilitary that control the area. It was very sad. They were all so happy and welcoming.

The driving was very scary, everyone is so reckless. The roads are very narrow and very, very steep and full of pot holes. That evening we took a ride up to the highest point in Bogotá 10 000 feet above sea level. The city just opened up in front of you in a blaze of lights; it was so magical. Bogotá is massive it has a population of 8 million people. There was a really nice church on the top of the mountain, and we visited it, there was meditative music playing. It was the most holy place I have ever been. We finished by singing hymns on the mountain. It has been the most remarkable day of my life. It feels like a dream here.

Anyways, I have to go, Derek

May 26, 2007 Later...

Hola every one hope you are all doing well. Every day has been jam packed but I've been trying to get to the internet cafe as much as possible.

Today we had H speak to us about the issues in Columbia. He is a very passionate speaker. It is interesting because he is a wanted man by the military group for actions and leadership in the civil rights movement. Therefore he is very secretive in all his action, even his meeting with us is secretive and he never sleeps or stays in the same place for more than a day. He still shakes from when he was tortured a long time ago. He talked a lot about the civil rights movement and how it is hard to gain much steam due to the fact that the leaders keep getting killed.

In the afternoon we went to a community where former militants were being immersed back into the culture as civilians. We went and visited one former militant who teaches music to all the children in the area. This helps keep them out of trouble and away from violence. It is a very important program for the area as it helps install community and gives the kids something productive to do. It gives them self confidence and is an outlet for their creativity. However, this is not a government funded program. He uses his own money (which is very little) to fund it. I feel like we should support his project by getting him more instruments since his resources are very minimal. So anyone who has ideas of how we can spear head an initiative I encourage you to organize something. I have gotten his contact info and will be bringing it home with me. This is a great opportunity for community outreach. The kids were so happy when they were playing their music for us.

In the evening two people from Mesa Agraria talked about the agriculture industry in Colombia and the implications of the free trade agreement. It was very interesting hearing how the United States have destroyed the Colombian agriculture industry just to benefit their own country and how every trade agreement they make causes more and more problems for Colombia. It was also interesting to hear the implications of foreign companies coming to Colombia and patenting everything. Just to grow crops they must pay royalty fees. I will bring a more in depth article home with me.

Well until next time, Derek

May 27, 2007 Barrancabermeja

Today was a rough day for me. It started off good. We went to the 30th anniversary of a near-by Mennonite Church that had been hosting us in Bogotá. There were many inspiring stories told about the history. Our favourite part was when the youth stood up and did a presentation on what they hoped the church would look like in 10 years when celebrating their 40th anniversary. The youth talked about what they believed could happen between 2007 and 2017. It was very inspiring hearing their hopes and dreams for their church presented in this manner. The service was 2.5 hrs long. We went to really nice local restaurant. However, I started feeling sick.

We then left Bogotá and took an hour long flight to Barrancabermeja. That really didn't go so well. However, by the time i got to the CPT house, I felt much better. Barrancabermeja, is amazing, I love it here! It us unlike any place I have ever been before. I don't know how to describe it but i will bring back lots of pictures. All i can say is it is very different from what we are used to back home. Apparently the crime rate (house theft, rape, murder etc.) here is almost non existent. The area is controlled by the paramilitary who kill anyone caught doing any of these things. They kind of work like an illegal police force. Anyone doing anything that displeases them is killed. This has been a major issue for many civil rights movements who have had members, in particular leaders, killed.

I found out that one of the CPT long term members who has been here in Barrancabermeja for 6 years is from the KW area. his name is Pierre and he can speak 4 languages (English, French, Spanish and Crelle). We have been split up into groups and are sleeping at host families' houses that live next to the CPT house.

Anyways that's all. Until next time
Derek

Community Mennonite Growing Project

Richard writes:

Established in 1983, the Canadian Foodgrains Bank is a Canadian-based Christian organization that helps provide food and development assistance to people in need on behalf of their 13 Canadian church members.

Today, Canadian Foodgrains Bank ranks among the largest private food aid providers in the world. Donations made by Canadians have helped Canadian Foodgrains Bank and its members provide over 944,000 metric tonnes of food to people who are hungry throughout the world.

Over the past 6 growing seasons, various members of CMC have worked together to grow crops and raise funds for the Canadian Foodgrains Bank. In past years, the Growing Project has produced soybeans, corn and pumpkins. To date, the growing project has donated cash and grain valued at over $200,000. Combined with Canadian Government matching grants, the total funds raised from this project to be used for food aid and development assistance exceeds 1 million dollars.

This current season, the growing project has planted 140 acres of wheat. As well, a plot of pumpkins will be planted later in May. Stayed tuned to this site to see pictures of the crop in progress and opportunities to contribute to the project.

Richard

prayer and action for Colombia

A big thank you to Tim and Rebecca of MCC who shared with us on Sunday about the situation in Colombia and the invitation to join with individuals and congregations everywhere in "Days of Prayer and Action for Colombia."

One of the ways we are participating as a congregation is by having a series of Sunday evening prayer meetings during the next few weeks (the first one was last Sunday), where we sing, light candles, hear stories, talk, pray, and open ourselves to what the Spirit may be calling us to do... This Sunday evening's gathering, including (if we're lucky) Colombian-style hot chocolate, will be at the dining hall at Willowgrove at 7:00 pm - you are invited to come, and to invite others as well!

We will be praying for Derek as he prepares for his trip to Colombia with the CPT delegation - you can read the recent Stouffville Sun-Tribune article on Derek and his trip here.

Here is a link to a 7 minute video on Colombia and our relationship (as members of Mennonite Church Canada) with the Colombian Mennonite Church.

welcome!

Rebecca writes:

Greetings! This blog is being created to have a space to post articles and thoughts about opinions, dreams, stories, and happenings within our church community and beyond.

I've found Community Mennonite Church to be a very friendly and empowering environment, encouraging each one to use their gifts and interests within our church and our community.

Each person brings something very special to our congregation. We have a wide variety of gifts and talents in our church, and I love seeing how God uses them in many unique and incredible ways. Agriculture, music, writing, financing, restorative justice, languages, teaching, speaking: these are only few of the many areas that members of our church are using their talents.

Seeing others use their gifts is such a good reminder for me as I am thinking about post-secondary education for next year. It is very encouraging to see that God will use me in ways that involve my passions and gifts, just as he uses those in our congregation.

We are a people sharing our faith and expressing it through our work both across the street and around the world. We are a people sharing common values and beliefs, though each with their own voice.

This online blog will hopefully be a place that we can write back and forth, using our voices and sharing our gifts.

Rejoice and be glad!

Rebecca

Note from blog co-moderator: As Rebecca said, this blog is intended to be a forum for "Community Voices" so if you'd like to submit something for future posts, please let Rebecca or me know. Thanks, Rebecca, for getting us started!