1 kg potato chips
Food miles -
2,023 km*

Buying supports packaged products from multinational companies. Each ingredient and eventual packaging travels to a central location and is then distributed around the country.
Greenhouse gas emissions:
9 Black Balloons**

OR

Think ‘Food Miles’

Every mile/kilometre your food travels means more greenhouse gas emissions. The closer to home your food comes from with the least packaging, the lower the emissions (and zero from your own garden!)

1 Californian orange -
Food miles -
12,878 km*

Supporting a faceless grower on the other side of the globe. Imported when Australian oranges are out of season
Greenhouse gas emissions:
Goodness knows!

OR

Buy fruit and vegetables when in season

Asparagus from Peru or beans from Thailand! Wait until the locally grown produce is available, or your own has grown--they'll taste better. You can always freeze or preserve local produce for use in the winter.

1 kg of Onions -
Food miles -
782 km*

Onions are transported from as far away as Queensland (those that are not imported!). Greenhouse gas emissions:
3.5 Black Balloons**

OR

Grow your own food

Start your own veggie, fruit, herb garden--fresh food from your own backyard. You could even keep a few chooks for fresh eggs.

Queensland Bananas
Food miles -
2,746 km*

Bananas are a tropical fruit not suited to growing in Victoria. Greenhouse gas emissions:
12 Black Balloons**

OR

Buy locally produced food

It's been transported less, it's fresher and it supports the local economy. Use your local shops and farmers markets.

THE CHOICE IS SIMPLE... Join the LOCAL FOOD MOVEMENT and create a better future!

*Information based on - Gaballa, S. & Abraham A. B. 2007. Food Miles in Australia: A preliminary Study of Melbourne Victoria. CERES Community Environment Park. (Greenhouse gases are calculated from food transportation only)

**A black balloon is a symbol used by the Victorian government Sustainability Victoria Initiative to illustrate 50 grams of greenhouse gas.

Resources:
A database of Ballarat local food, sorted by producers, products and suppliers: http://www.breaze.org.au/balfoodlist/