The amount of energy used to produce food in the U.S. could be cut in half if Americans ate less and ate local foods, in addition to eating less meat, dairy and junk food, and using more traditional farming methods.
About 19 percent of the total fossil fuel used in the U.S. goes into the food system -- about the same amount that is used to fuel cars
Food travels an average of 1,500 miles before it is eaten, meaning that a head of iceberg lettuce requires 4,000 calories of energy just for shipment from California to New York. Locally grown cabbage, on the other hand, requires only 400 calories total to produce and transport.