Originating in the early 1990s, food miles is the a concept used to calculate the distance of food. It is the distance food is transported from the time it is made/grown to the time it reaches the buyer or consumer. When testing the impact food has on the environment- such as carbon footprint- food miles is a major factor used.

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When food has a larger food mile reading, it means that it has had a bigger negative impact on the environment than food that is made or grown locally. It also means that so it can last the journey, more preservatives are added. Due to this, it is generally better to buy food that is produced locally.