SAN DIEGO -- We all know that eating fruit, veggies and lean meats is healthy, but eating fresh produce all year round may actually be unhealthy for the environment, because growing, processing and shipping food takes a lot of energy.

"We're talking about one-third of the world greenhouse gases. We have a long way to go to reduce the impact of the food system on climate change," said Director of Bon Appetit Management Company Foundation Helene York.

York works for a food management company that develops "low-carbon menus" for corporations and colleges nationwide. The company urges chefs and consumers to change how they eat to help cut greenhouse gases.

"I don't buy fruit that comes from South America in the middle of winter," said Bon Appetit Chef Andrew Roybal.

Internet giant Google is making low-carbon a way of life at its Café 150.

"We're composting all of our food scraps, all of our waste, our fryer oil and turning it into bio-deisel fuel, with a local producer," said Google Food Services manager John Dickman.

"It's really awesome all around," said Dickman.

So how can you reduce your carbon food footprint?

Buy locally grown produce.

Cut back on heavily packaged or processed foods.

Choose seasonal products over anything that has to be shipped or flown to your supermarket.

"If chefs and consumers can reduce their carbon impact by 10 or 20 percent, that's a very significant reduction. What you eat matters more than what you drive," said York.

Those who are practicing what they preach said there is an added benefit.

"The quality of the food itself is just far superior. The flavor comes out in your food. There's nothing like it," said Roybal. "I'm a much smarter consumer of edibles now."

Another thing experts said is that eating a little less meat and dairy can also help because cow manure emits a lot of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane.

At a recent global summit for mayors from around the world, a new Internet tool that will help individuals and communities curb their carbon emissions was announced. It's called Go-Zero Footprint City Calculator. Link