The Locavore: Forcefully Changing America

Locavores consume only locally grown foods in an effort to reduce their carbon footprints and lose weight, among other reasons. The popularity of locavorism has grown dramatically over the last decade, and its merits are extolled by scientists and ordinary consumers alike. The locavore movement seems to be indisputably beneficial to the environment, the economy, and to consumer health, yet close examination of its common tenets reveals issues which should be taken into account before beginning a locavore diet.

Finally, in the book The End of Food, by Paul Roberts, the author displays the impracticality of the local food movement. When discussing how much of a poor fit a locavore food system is in the modern United States, Roberts states “...in the United States, 80 percent of us live in large, densely populated urban areas, usually on the coast, and typically hundreds of miles, often thousands of miles, from the major centers of food production”. This exhibits how eating locally would be a

The Omnivore’s Dilemma, written by Michael Pollan, gives light to the question, “What should we have for dinner?” that he thinks Americans today cannot answer simply due to the fact that there are too many food options. This book serves as an eye-opener to challenge readers to be more aware and accountable of what is consumed daily. In order to understand fully where our food comes from, we must follow it back to the very beginning. Pollan goes on to discuss three different modern food chains in which we get our food: the industrial, the organic, and the hunter-gatherer. By tracing our food back to the beginning, we can understand that most of the nutritional and health problems America is going through today can be found on the farms that make our food and the government that can decide what happens. America deals with many food related illness such as, heart disease, obesity, and type II diabetes. Majority of a human and animals diet consists of being corn-fed leading to a high cause of obesity in the United States these are just some of the many diseases that come with over processed foods and diets we are unaware of. In this study, we will highlight the environmental and health issues and impacts related with modern agriculture and how these systems can be made more sustainable.

Journalist and novelist Michael Pollan writes about the trials and tribulations surrounding food in North America and raises questions regarding Western diet, which is mostly comprised of refined sugar and high fructose corn syrup and corn in general. He reiterates that chemically generated food is creating disease in North Americans; If we eliminate these factors and adopt the eating habits of less industrialized places in the world will we in our lifetime see rates of heart disease, type two diabetes and obesity decline dramatically? The western diet has evolved drastically in the last sixty years, so much so that people have become codependent on the government, dietitians and food agencies regarding their health and what to consume. The land is suffering from pesticides and singular plant farming, the alternative to this is to buy organic but at a higher price. Media has influenced the consumer to read the label and accept and trust the daily vitamin percentages on the box, as this is what is best for them. Money is the key factor in all of this and the government, scientific research and media know that, therefor the public is in for a shock when they realize that the very labels that are supposed to save them have fooled them.

Buying local is the new slogan of producers and sellers selling their foods in the food market. There are a few stances that can be taken such as not bothering to care about where the food came from, getting what can be purchased within reason, and the extreme locavore. Although eating local and organic is desirable, it is improbable to create a sustainable lifestyle with the given difficulties.

Many people are not sure whether the locavore movement is the right route to take, however, Americans are not aware of the positive things it brings to its community. The taste and quality of their produce will improve, along with nutritional factors. Making

Have you ever walked down the grocery store aisle and wondered where your chicken comes from? Or if the ham you just bought is healthier for your family, than the other brand of ham you saw? In “The Omnivore’s Dilemma”, Michael Pollan states that there are four different food chains. They’re the industrial, the industrial organic, the local sustainable, and the hunter-gatherer food chains. I believe that the best food chain for everyone in the United States would be the local sustainable. The local sustainable food chain is the best for the United States because it is better for the animal, and better for the environment. Although the local sustainable food chain would take a long time to get used to, it would be the best option for the United States.

It’s no secret, Americans love their processed, energy-rich foods. And undeniably, this love affair has led to an obesity epidemic. In spite of the evidence against processed food, however, there are some who believe the problem may hold the key to the solution. David Freedman, author of “How Junk Food Could End Obesity,” criticizes Michael Pollan for his argument in support of unprocessed, local foods due its impracticality. Freedman’s criticism is based on the idea that “It makes a lot more sense to look for small, beneficial changes in food than it does to hold out for big changes in what people eat that have no realistic chance of happening” (Freedman Sec. 1). He contends that processed foods already play a big part in our diets, so instead of trying to expand the wholesome food business, we should try to make processed foods healthier. Freedman’s argument, however, overlooks many negative effects of processed foods and conventional farming. Michael Pollan’s wholesome food movements takes into account not only the obesity problem, but also the quality of the environment and the rights of farmers. Although Pollan’s solution to obesity may not seem the most efficient or time effective, the trades offs it provides in terms of environmental sustainability and the well-being of farmers outweigh the loss of efficiency.

Before beginning their journey Catacalos and Janzen asked themselves questions such as, “Was choosing to consume foods locally a scam or was it worth their time?” along with “Is eating locally better for the environment?” as well as “Is choosing to eat locally more expensive than not?” Within a month’s time, both Catacalos and Janzen hoped to have their questions answered (117).

When people ask what Food Studies is about, I tend to refer them to passages from Michael Pollan, because I think he paints such an incredible image of the joy and power of being in touch with one’s food. However, I find the suggestions of Wendell Berry to be of greater importance. His words encompass not only the personal benefits of growing and cooking food at home, but the positive impacts on the land, food workers, environment, and the political “vote” we make through our food choices for the kind of future we envision.

The locavore movement has become a much larger cause in recent years.  People are increasingly aware of some of the issues pertaining to eating foods grown far away.  These issues have banded some communities together to sacrifice their favorite foods and to begin buying locally grown foods.  These communities are experiencing numerous benefits as a result of their decision to change their culture and eat locally grown foods.

If healthy food is the best food, why are we settling for any less? Locavore communities contain people who have decided to eat locally grown/produced products. Not only are locavore communities positively impacting local economies, they are also creating bonds within communities, and those involved are proving to be more nutritious and healthy.

“With the growing interest in urban agriculture in the U.S., the American Planning Association (APA) has recently recognized the importance of integrating food systems into land use planning. APA general policies related to food systems focus on opportunities to support comprehensive food planning processes at the community and regional levels and to strengthen local and regional economies by promoting food systems. According to the guidelines, planners should seek to support (through policies and legislation) food systems that improve residents‘ health, increase sustainability of the environment, and

My experience on the Locavorism project had me encounter and face many obstacles and difficulties that I've never really faced during any project I have ever done. It required me to use and apply what little practical, creative and analytical thinking I had to design a reasonable proposal to a situation given to me. I know I am now an ACC student; a “college student” with much more responsibilities, and looking back on my work on this project, I can say that most of it was not what I hoped it would be; efficient, proactive, hardworking or well thought out. At the moment it felt like I was doing my best, that I was working hard to achieve this task, but not at the level it could've been at. Me and my group should've spent more time analyzing

It is without a doubt true that locally sold and grown foods are a healthier alternative than imported and artificial foods but, despite knowing this, not many people are willing to make the jump to local foods. This is partly due to the fact that people believe that there aren't many benefits in eating local foods or believe that local food doesn't taste the same or as good, when in reality, it’s quite the contrary. Jennifer Maiser, author of the well reviewed, Cooking From the Farmer’s Market, part creator of the Eat Local Challenge, and renowned locavore within the locavore community, has made many popular articles about the benefits of being a locavore, one of which is called “10 Reasons to Eat Local Food.” Within this article, Jennifer