Recent media discussion about the ‘Food Miles’ concept and its validity for Australian export products is prompting Australians to ask how far their food has travelled and whether it really matters.
A recent study has revealed that the average Australian shopping basket of food has travelled more than 70,000 kilometres from producer to consumer. Critics from Australia’s export industries argue that this concept does not allow for other factors such as the means of travel and the overall sustainability of the produce, from ‘paddock to plate’.
However, some foods we buy for the family here in Australia present a clearer choice. Tasmanian Atlantic Salmon offers Australians the option of purchasing high quality Salmon which has not been transported thousands of kilometres.
Measuring the distance travelled between production and consumption gives a good indication of how environmentally unfriendly this process can be, with food freight releasing thousands of tons of greenhouse gas emissions around the world each year.
As Australians who live so far from the rest of the world, refusing ‘well-travelled’ food can seem limiting, but the fact is Australia does provide a local choice across a large range of produce.
A spokesperson from the Tasmanian Atlantic Salmon Growers Association (TSGA) said that many Australians haven’t completely caught on to the fact that much of the Salmon they buy is imported, from places such as Norway, Scotland or Canada.
“It’s easy to forget about asking where the products you buy come from, but taking the time to do so works both to help the environment and ensures you get fresher produce.
“Why would you buy Atlantic Salmon from Norway, which has travelled 22,000 kilometres to reach your plate when Tasmanian Atlantic Salmon has only travelled from Tasmania?
“Tasmania is renowned for its cool climate, and pristine waters and world-class salmon — Aussies should make the most of it!” the spokesperson said.
As we convert to energy saving light bulbs and hybrid cars, why not take that one step further and think about the distance your dinner has travelled to get to you.
At a time when we’re all being encouraged to consider our environmental footprint, buying local products such as Tasmanian Atlantic Salmon makes perfect sense.
Tasmanian Atlantic Salmon contains Omega-3 fatty acids, low cholesterol protein, anti-oxidants, (vitamins D, E, B-carotene, minerals, zinc, iron, copper, manganese and selenium) vitamins A and B, folate, calcium, phosphorus, and potassium.
www.tasmaniansalmon.com.au