Food Sustainability Trends: Local Sourcing and Carbon Footprints

Sustainability is a complex issue where factors such as returnable glass containers and shorter transport distances have a combined impact on the carbon footprint of food producers.

If you’re looking for an example of the impact of sustainability in the food supply chain, look no further than retail giant Wal-Mart, who pledged last year to dramatically boost the locally grown produce it purchases from small and medium-sized farmers in the U.S. and abroad. Their goal includes tripling local sourcing globally and doubling the local produce purchased in the U.S.
While Wal-Mart’s initiative is partly an effort to improve its corporate image by reducing its environmental impact, it is also in response to rising consumer interest in local food production. (Source)

What do you think? Will all members of the food supply chain have to adjust to the new interest of consumers in sustainability?