In this day of modern superheroes, there is always a discussion on who will win the fight. The big studios have recently pitched their titans against each other: Batman vs. Superman, Ironman vs. Captain America, Thor vs. Hulk. But in our world of sustainability, debate rages on for who comes out on top between Fresh or Frozen.
Farming and distribution. A generalization of the agricultural carbon footprint is similar for both options. What separates the two is how it gets from the farm to your home. We always advocate for in season produce grown at a farmers market. If you do the same then congratulations, Round 1 goes to Fresh! However if you are buying your groceries from a supermarket or getting them delivered, the round will be a lot closer than you expect. While the frozen food uses more energy during transportation, the fresh produce requires more packaging to protect and prevent spoiling. Also remember if you are buying out of season produce, it may have travelled a significant distance to reach you, and as such increased the carbon footprint significantly.
Home storage. Depending on the type of fresh produce, you may want to keep it refrigerated or not. Let us assume that you do. Assuming both your fridge & freezer are Energy Star rated, for an average household the freezer uses around 12% less energy over 12 months (chest freezers save even more). If you are an average American your fresh produce waste nudges Round 2 into a draw, offsetting the extra energy used for the cold storage. (For a sustainable warrior with zero waste, the Fresh option is a clear winner.)
Disposal. Frozen items significantly decrease the household waste, as there is a greater chance of fresh produce spoiling and ending up in compost or landfill. 30% of fresh produce is wasted once brought home from a combination of unavoidable (banana peel) or avoidable waste (spoiled produce). Another advantage of the household freezer is freezing the leftovers for future use.
Other factors need you may be considering:
- Cost: Frozen pre-prepared meals are generally cheaper than fresh equivalents although that is highly subject to the type of meal.
- Convenience: Frozen has a much longer lifespan and can help households that do not have the convenience of visiting local farmers markets.
- Taste & Nutrients: Fresh produce is generally regarded as containing more nutrients and tasting superior. Several studies have proven this incorrect however your taste buds are always the final judge.
Our verdict – neither is a clear winner over the other, and like the Hollywood blockbusters we won’t declare the result. Seeing things in black and white rarely works, so use whatever method works best for you.
Both options should be utilized to decrease your carbon footprint. Here are our suggestions to keep it sustainable:
- Shop at sustainable farmers markets
- Buy produce in season
- Eat more vegetables
- Plan out your meals to cut down on the waste
- Freeze your leftovers for future meals
- The more full your fridge and freezer are, the less energy is consumed after you open the door
