In the early 2000s, the concept of 'food miles,' the distance food travels from producer to consumer, gained widespread attention, initially in the UK, as a way of measuring the environmental impact of the global food system. The concept was popularized by researchers like Tim Lang at City University London, and it became a key argument for the 'local food' movement. While later criticized for its oversimplification, food miles brought public attention to the energy costs of transporting food, including wine and olive oil, and it encouraged a rethinking of consumption patterns.

The concept of food miles has been a significant influence on contemporary eco-poetry and nature writing, as poets have grappled with the environmental consequences of global food transport. The idea of the distance a strawberry or a bottle of wine has traveled to reach a plate has become a powerful image for poets concerned with climate change and sustainability. This theme has been explored by a new generation of poets who write about the ethics of consumption, making the logistics of food transport a central concern of 21st-century literature.