Think Globally Act Locally

Over the past couple years there has been a rising interest in supporting local farmers markets and some even take it one step further and grow their own products, arguing that the benefits on relying on locally grown foods are environmentally friendly and even taste better. The term “locavore” was coined by Jessica Prentice from San Francisco Bay area for the World Environment Day 2005 to promote the practice of eating a diet consisting of food harvested within the area of one’s location.

Because there was so much excitement and momentum driving the local food movement, the word “locavore” won word of the year in 2007 in the New Oxford American Dictionary. The notion behind the movement is to resist globalizing food by encouraging people to become aware of how far food travels, animal welfare, subsidies, lack of care for the environment which is all factors that are associated with nonlocal food corporations.

You might think that the locavore movement sounds like a typical food fad that will dissolve quickly and quietly, but I would argue that because the movement works to reduce the miles that it takes for food to reach your kitchen table (which is typically 1,500 miles) the movements popularity will hopefully catch like wildfire. The movement encourages people to support local vendors to generate money in the local economy which promotes a stronger sense of community.

Also, there is an undeniable increase interest in climate change, energy, agriculture, labor issues, food costs, food qualities which are all attractive qualities of the movement and act as an invitation for all Americans to join. Just like every social movement, even the smallest action that will benefit us socially, politically and economically.

When you think about it, much of our awareness of the food system is based on how much we don’t know. The motivating factor that ignites the locavore movement is ultimately to create better consumer choices and create a new self aware consumer and eater.

So what are you having for lunch?