The Buy Local Backlash

I don't know if you've noticed, but the mainstream is pointing its fat finger and shaking wildly at the Localvore movement. The fact that the a large number of foodies are accepting the Eat Local Challenge and thriving is a source of irritation for a certain type of person. They like to quote studies that somehow show that frozen farmed shrimp from Zimbabwe is somehow more gentle on the planet than buying a local tomato at your farmers market or even foraging your backyard for purslane.

If you are of a certain age, you will remember the beginnings of the feminist movement, which among other things, declared that women really are created equal to men and deserve similar rights across the board. Many, many women who agreed with this basic principal went running the other way. "Oh sure I believe in equal rights for women," they'd declare, "I just don't want to burn my bra or any Women's Lib thing like that." The whole issue was defined by the opposition, who declared that in order to support the feminist cause, a gal needed to burn her bra.

To support the Localvore movement is not to suddenly stop eating catsup from Ohio or even food from China. It's not designed to put foreign imports out of business. It's to encourage local food production, stop suburban sprawl and support traditions that are dying and entrepreneurs who are creating. Take it as far as you can. Don't bust a gut if you have to crack open a jar of imported capers. Think twice before eating the cherries from South America in the winter. Eat more tomatoes when the days are long and more greens and root vegetables in the winter. Get to know a local hunter. Eating rice from another state is not the same things as Fedex'ing a squash blossom across the country. Do your best but don't feel guilty or defensive if you can't get on board with the whole show and don't act smug and superior if somehow you do.

There is just no data that you can offer that will convince me supporting local food is a bad thing.

Comments

[anita]

A voice of reason, as always.

We miss you at the market, but are glad you're getting a well-deserved break. :)

[cookbot]

Steve, I have a question for you that I can't seem to find an answer to anywhere online:

On a Mexican groceries website, I saw cans of evaporated milk seasoned variously with poblanos, cilantro, chipotle, and jalapeno. For the life of me I can't imagine what these would be used for. Do you have any experience with these?

Here's the address of the items in the store:
http://www.mymexicanpantry.com/lacteos-dairy.html

[Steven Sando]

Thanks, Anita. Seems reasonable to me!

cookbot, sorry, I have no idea what you'd do with that. Make some kind of sauce? A savory flan?

[Michelle]

This is the best advice on becoming a Localvore that I've seen. In fact, it's pretty much what I've already been doing ... but from now on, I'll dip into that mustard jar with a little less guilt.
Thanks!

[jen maiser]

One of the ELC authors recently wrote an email where she said that the way that we live our lives is not sexy. The media would rather talk about the extremists in our ranks then show it as a reasonable movement that is peppered with nuances and exceptions.

Thanks for this post -- I love it.

[Simon Huntley]

Thanks for this though-provoking post, Steve. I posted some thoughts on this over at Small Farm Central:
http://smallfarmcentral.com/blog/jan/2008/reflecting-state-local-food

[Steve Sando]

Thanks all. Another problem is that our economy is geared towards consuming more and more and hunting for miners lettuce or only buying one tv is not going to help the economy, hence, it's not "sexy". I think we're in pretty deep trouble.