Personal Action Plan 1: Creating a Food Index

How well do you know your food? Over the last two hours, I have gotten to know mine a lot better. I have just finished compiling an initial food index of every item of food in my house. A few stats that I found interesting. Out of 65 items:

• 40% of my food is organic

• 14% was purchased without packaging
• 63% is contained in recyclable or reusable packaging
• 15% has packaging that will eventually end up in the trash

• The average distance my food traveled from its point of distribution to me is 1,030 miles (800 miles when not including the 5 international items)
• 23% of my food is local, traveling less than 50 miles from its point of distribution to me

I will use this information as the basis for my personal action plan. Based on these initial calculations, I will try to increase the amount of my food that is organic, decrease the amount of food-packing waste I generate, and decrease the average distance my food travels. Further details on my personal action plan coming soon...