Eat Local - Not always the best choice? [General]

2012 Jan 1
An interesting statement on the fashionable Eat Local movement, indicating that in many cases the total emissions for local food are significantly greater than the stuff from the other side of the world:

ben.casnocha.com

Common sense suggests eating local is the best choice but common sense is often wrong!

2012 Jan 2
Sure that's not news though - there have been a number of studies over the last few years showing this. But it makes a false assumption that total emissions is the only reason for eating local. For me that is far from true. I suspect for many others as well.

2012 Jan 2
Yup, true enough! It's just that most of the head-shaking I've seen about food from the other side of the world focuses on how ridiculous it is that we transport it all that way.

I agree there are good reasons to buy local. Getting to know the producer and production methodology is gold. Sustaining local economy is self-serving in a pleasant way. Potential anti-allergy benefits of exposure to pollen in local honey. There must be others too... ?