This morning for breakfast I went to McDonald’s and had one of my favorite meals: two mcgriddles and a bottle of water. For those who are unfamiliar with the product, a mcgriddle is either a sausage, egg and cheese sandwich or a bacon, egg and cheese sandwich. Each of these small sandwiches is 450 calories of deliciousness, which is why many people overlook the fact of how the ingredients are produced. The meat that is served at McDonald’s is produced in factories in Colorado and Arizona and shipped to the different locations in boxes of hundreds throughout the country by various transportation methods. Though many people may doubt it, the eggs from mcgriddles are real eggs but are cooked and shaped in a processing plant in Arizona. They are combined with artificial flavor, liquid margarine, and other products to satisfy the customers and then the eggs are boxed and shipped to different locations like the meat products. The different types of bread that McDonald’s uses are shipped in from Oklahoma, where they are processed into different shapes for the different types of sandwiches.
The miles traveled from the meat processing facilities from Arizona to Burlington, North Carolina is 2,038 miles, and from Colorado to Burlington, North Carolina is 1,689 miles. If one were to drive even a hybrid, such as a Toyota Prius, it would be 50 miles per gallon; the current price of gas is 2.76 a gallon, thus they would spend 112.50 from Arizona and 93.23 from Colorado. Since the eggs are from the same area as the meat in Arizona, it will be the same price for the travel of the most efficient way possible. Traveling by the most efficient means from Oklahoma, such as a Toyota Prius, it would cost 66.24 for the 1200 mile trip. Though many people look down upon fast food, it is very convenient for a college student who is pressed for both time and money. I feel that there may be better alternatives for meat that these restaurants use that are closer to their locations, but it is all a matter of money. Though it travels a very long distance and the mode of transportation is detrimental to the environment, I will not stop my consumption of this type of food.
The miles traveled from the meat processing facilities from Arizona to Burlington, North Carolina is 2,038 miles, and from Colorado to Burlington, North Carolina is 1,689 miles. If one were to drive even a hybrid, such as a Toyota Prius, it would be 50 miles per gallon; the current price of gas is 2.76 a gallon, thus they would spend 112.50 from Arizona and 93.23 from Colorado. Since the eggs are from the same area as the meat in Arizona, it will be the same price for the travel of the most efficient way possible. Traveling by the most efficient means from Oklahoma, such as a Toyota Prius, it would cost 66.24 for the 1200 mile trip. Though many people look down upon fast food, it is very convenient for a college student who is pressed for both time and money. I feel that there may be better alternatives for meat that these restaurants use that are closer to their locations, but it is all a matter of money. Though it travels a very long distance and the mode of transportation is detrimental to the environment, I will not stop my consumption of this type of food.
Wow good post .. I tried to post yesterday but it didn't stick..so this is great.. let's branch out. I am just back from walking to our wonderful farmers market in Hillsborough. Great organic food reasonably priced and with little transportation cost. Try no packaged chow for a while. See what happens. Get your folks to follow your blog! Keep it up this is interesting.
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