“eating local” vs. eating intentionally
it’s the WHAT that matters
We describe local food fans or “locavores” as people who intentionally choose locally grown food whenever possible. Definitions of “local” vary, but let’s say it means within 100 miles of home. Locavores see a variety of benefits to intentionally eating local, including food that’s fresher, tastier, and healthier, and supporting local farmers and small businesses. Many of us probably agree.
Is “eating local” also kinder to the environment? Hmm…. We know that organic food, grown without chemical pesticides or fertilizers, doesn’t have to be grown nearby; we enjoy organic berries sourced in Mexico or South America, for example. Still, most of us are probably comfortable with the notion of some link between local and organic.
How about greenhouse gas emissions generated in transporting food? Does eating locally grown food help the environment by reducing “food miles?” It turns out that “…the share of emissions from transport … is generally pretty tiny; the distance our food travels to get to us actually accounts for less than 10 percent of most food products’ carbon footprint.”[1] So we can’t automatically take a carbon footprint victory lap just because we choose locally-grown food.
What matters more is WHAT we eat. Global data published in Science in 2018[2] deals with a variety of protein-rich foods and shows a range of carbon footprint impacts. The worst offenders? Beef and lamb. Better choices: poultry and pork. Better still: dairy and fish. And the most eco-friendly: plant-based protein sources.
So, at the end of the day, what might our eco-acts be? First, we can be intentional about what we choose to eat. Maybe we cut back on the beef and lamb, choosing options with a smaller carbon footprint. And second, we can happily eat locally grown food for its freshness, great taste, and health benefits; because we can relatively easily ensure we’re buying organic; because we love farmers’ markets; and so that we can continue to have a sense of where our food comes from—small farms, greenhouses and orchards located not too far from us.
Last, we encourage you to purchase food from local Black-owned farms, restaurants, and businesses. Here is a list of Black-owned Seattle food spots; see our post on farms here. Intentionally eating from these local businesses is one part of the greater movement toward creating a society where Black lives truly matter. And this seems like a way of caring for and connecting with the greenness and life of our local world.
[1] “How to reduce your food’s carbon footprint, in 2 charts,” Sigal Samuel, February 20, 2020
[2] The Science study and “Our World in Data” were both cited in the Sigal Samuel Vox article referenced above.