Completion Date
3-2016
Advisor(s)
Dawn Neill
Abstract
Baseline data for Cal Poly produce items purchased in 2014, were generated using food miles and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of transportation related impacts measured in units of global warming potential. A regional simulation of a local food system compiled using Harvest Santa Barbara serves as a model of a regional wholesale produce distributor. Research objectives aim to identify produce items that would significantly decrease food miles and transportation related impacts when sourced through a regional food distributor. Comparative analysis between the global and local food distribution systems, associated with 59 produce types illustrate tomatoes having the most significant impact between the two models, based off of two quantitative metrics (mileage and CO 2 ). Overall switching to a local food distribution system would reduce Cal Poly’s produce transportation emissions by 59.48%.
URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/bkendowments/35
Copyright
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.