Information is coming at us so fast with the internet age that once reputable information can change overnight.
While attending a Skyline College San Mateo, California, green marketing course, I thought that buying local was a good answer. It appears I was wrong. According to a study completed by the California State University at Santa Barbara, it isn't more cost effective or provide fresher food when you buy locally. Imported fruits and vegetables are just as fresh and inexpensive as those grown locally. In fact the import and distribution of foods is an effective manner to stock food choices for consumers. I was surprised to hear that unions and local regulations don't make it an option at all. During a food market strike the idea that local farmers from the Santa Barbara region could provide their surplus foods to the local area markets fell flat when contracted bargains eliminated these choices. We all enjoy fresh fish from Chile, grapes and fruits as well. These can be most delicious. The way the importation works makes it the best practice to have these imported foods shipped by truck all across the nation. So what does buying at the farmers market really do? I guess it creates community. It enables people to feel closer to the food they are eating. It allows small local farmers to get out and show off their produce. It makes a nice outing and we get to feel good about our choices to eat fresh locally grown food but it isn't economically purposeful. I wonder what else I think is good that really doesn't matter. Is buying an alternative fuel vehicle a good choice? Is using mass transit a good choice? Some ideas are just beginning to play a vital role in global warming factors others are being tossed out faster that the average internet user can research. Education is becoming a daily process to find out the facts via, the internet. Today's menu, local isn't the best choice.
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