EDMONTON, Alberta, June 7 (UPI) -- A Canadian study suggests organic fruits and vegetables might be healthier for the dinner table, but not necessarily for the environment.
The University of Alberta study suggests greenhouse gases emitted when organic foods are transported from great distances mitigates the environmental benefits of growing food organically.
"If you're buying 'green' you should consider the distance the food travels," said researcher Vicki Burtt. "If it's traveling farther, then some of the benefits of organic crops are canceled out by extra environmental costs."
Burtt and her colleagues compared the costs of transporting both organic and conventionally grown food over comparable distances. The study found the environmental cost of greenhouse gas emitted to transport 20 tons of organically grown produce was comparable to that of bringing the same amount of conventional fruit and vegetables to market over the same distance.
To help reduce greenhouse gases, Burtt recommends shoppers switch to buying locally produced food at grocery stores or farmers markets when possible.
