Eating Local – The US Version

Eating Local – The US Version

A while ago I posted an eye-opening video about the realities of just how non-local most of our food has become. The video, produced by Hellmann’s mayonnaise, used Canadian statistics and references. While I’m not a mayo fan, their Eat Real Eat Local program makes sense since mayo and ripe tomatoes are a natural match for most people.

In the interest of fairness, I thought I’d post something that draws upon American information. I found this thanks to One of the Woodside Joneses. Many of you wondered if the US, with its milder climate, would have the same high-carbon foot print issues as Canada and its shorter growing season. Seems so. It carries the same weighty message as the Hellmann’s video, but delivers the stats in a light manner.

This time IBM is the video producer. Their involvement in the local food movement initially left me scratching my head. What do computer chips have to do with food? Of course, the answer is, “A lot.” After all, technology is a big part of growing, storing and delivering the food we eat. This video is just one piece of their Smarter Planet program.

I share this to endorse eating local food, not promote IBM. I don’t own a single IBM product and use a Mac. But talking chickens? I’m there!

So, do talking poultry deliver the message better than a voice over or does a rooster with a cell phone detract? What issues do you think the local food movement has yet to properly address?

No Comments
  • Katerina
    Posted at 13:30h, 24 July

    IBM has their hands in a tons of areas especially in research, they have in fact sold all their consumer computer business, to Lenovo, a few years ago.

  • danamccauley
    Posted at 19:19h, 24 July

    Charmian, I, too, like to eat local food when I can. Not only does it usually taste better, being picked closer to it's peak ripeness, but I like to support my community and reduce my carbon footprint when I can.

    The issue I have with being a locavore is that, as you point out, here in Canada, it would be a pretty grim existence to eat only local foods. A winter of snow cones and pickles would probably kill me. So, to get to my point, my issue is that some people are such vigilantes about eating and drinking locally that it gives me a head ache. I do what I can, when I can and accept that things like champagne have to be shipped from France and that to eat healthfully in the winter I'll have to eat a California lettuce leaf or two.

  • Anonymous
    Posted at 20:12h, 24 July

    I found it interesting this spring -local strawberries were selling a Zehrs for $3.99 a quart…( too much I think) and the USA strawberries were selling for $1.99 or less? I don't understand this "logic"-wouldn't it cost more to ship them from California than from the fields in Southern Ontario?

  • Cheryl
    Posted at 20:42h, 24 July

    I liked the Canadian video better. (Sorry IBM.)

  • One of the Woodside Joneses
    Posted at 18:31h, 25 July

    Anonymous — I agree — what is with the pricing. Charmian? What gives?

    Jill

  • Christie's Corner
    Posted at 10:00h, 27 July

    Katerina, I guess I'm the only one who didn't know IBM is out of the computer biz. The rock I live under is so big I forget to surface occasionally.

    Dana, I couldn't agree with you more. I like the idea of the vigilantes surviving the winter on snowcones and pickles. I love the idea of having the best the world has to offer — I think we forget the best is sometimes in our own back yard. Is this a Canadian inferiority complex?

    Anonymous and Woodside Jones, cheap imported fruit is infuriating, isn't it? The only reason I can come up with is volume. California likely has a bounty and I didn't pick a single local berry this year because of the cold, wet weather. Of course, if they're growing their berries with lots of chemicals, they could be cheaper to produce — and not necessarily healthier.

    Cheryl, I liked the Hellmann's video better too, but thought the calorie information was interesting. I also thought it was interesting to know that the US has the same big carbon footprint issue.