A one-pound box of prewashed lettuce contains 80 calories…
““A one-pound box of prewashed lettuce contains 80 calories of food energy. According to Cornell ecologist David Pimentel, growing, chilling, washing, packaging, and transporting that box of organic salad to a plate on the East Coast takes more than 4,600 calories of fossil fuel energy, or 57 calories of fossil fuel energy for every calorie of food. (These figures would be about 4 percent higher if the salad were grown conventionally.) I””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The energy used to produce and deliver a small amount of lettuce far exceeds the calories it provides, highlighting inefficiencies in modern food systems.
In simple terms: Food production uses far more energy than the food itself.
Key Takeaway
Consider the hidden energy costs of food.
Themes
environment
energy
food systems
efficiency
sustainability
Mood
thoughtful
concerned
Type
informative
analytical
When to use this quote
- grocery shopping
- meal planning
- policy making
- consumer education
Key Concepts
life-cycle analysis
externalities
resource use
Questions to Reflect On
- How does this affect your food choices?
- What alternatives reduce energy waste?
A Different Perspective
The comparison may oversimplify varied agricultural practices and regional differences.