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Montreal hosts global 'magic carpet luncheon'

Broadcast Date: Oct. 16, 1947

The avocados have been flown in from Jamaica, the potatoes from PEI, the coffee from Sumatra, the steak from Texas, and the cheese from France. Guests of the Montreal board of trade will be treated to the finest, fresh foods from around the globe. The purpose: to demonstrate the modern wonders of air transportation. Call it a magic carpet luncheon, says CBC Radio reporter Jill Jackson in this news feature.

Montreal hosts global 'magic carpet luncheon'

• The food item that traveled the furthest distance was the coffee from Sumatra which journeyed some 10, 543 air miles (almost 17,000 km).
• The total distance the food cargo traveled was a whopping 92,271 air miles (almost 150,000 km)

• In October 2004, the David Suzuki Foundation cited a study which estimates that a basic North American meal journeys some 2,400 km from field to fork.
• At the time of this report, many of the exotic foods weren't available locally. Today, however, many environmentalists urge consumers to buy food locally. They argue that this practice can boost the local economy and it puts less stress on the environment in terms of packing and transporting.

• The Montreal board of trade was established in 1822 by a small group of merchants aiming to promote and foster the expansion of Montreal.

Montreal hosts global 'magic carpet luncheon'

Medium: Radio

Program: CBC News Roundup

Broadcast Date: Oct. 16, 1947

Host: Larry Henderson
Reporter: Till Jackson

Duration: 2:40

Last updated:
April 18, 2008