Comparing environmental impacts of regional and national-scale food supply chains: A case study of processed tomatoes

Sonja Brodt, Klaas Jan Kramer, Alissa Kendall and Gail Feenstra

Food Policy, 2013, vol. 42, issue C, 106-114

Abstract: This study uses life cycle assessment methodology to quantify the energy use, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and water use of processed tomato products grown, processed, and consumed within the Great Lakes region of the United States, and tomato products produced in California and then shipped to the Great Lakes region for consumption. The purpose is to assess the potential for regional food systems to reduce selected environmental impacts, particularly the energy and GHG footprints, of consumer-ready, processed food products, when compared to national-scale food systems in which consumer products are shipped long distances. The study also examines the role of different types of food processing in influencing life cycle energy use, water use, and emissions.

Keywords: Energy use; Food miles; Greenhouse gas emissions; Life cycle assessment; Local food; Organic (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2013
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (13)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:jfpoli:v:42:y:2013:i:c:p:106-114

DOI: 10.1016/j.foodpol.2013.07.004

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