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?