Locavorism Synthesis Essay

The warm sun rays beaming down on the emerald stalks of corn, the bright light radiating on rolling fields of amber grain. Children screaming in delight throughout the country sides and cities. During those sensational, amiable months of summer, tucked inside practically every newspaper are calendars touting seemingly endless opportunities to attend weekly farmers markets. A new movement, deemed locavorism, is digging its spurs in the ground and taking root in communities worldwide. Instead of relying on mass-produced, far-shipped foods for sustenance, a profusion of people are instead turning to foods grown/produced locally (about a 100 mile radius). Locavorism, with the potential to make a great impact on communities worldwide, should be
This proves a detriment to those who live in these types of areas and the movement as a whole. Paul Roberts exclaims, “...Whereas some areas might find it fairly easy to eat locally… people in other parts of the country and the world need to look farther afield” (Source F). Roberts also goes on to affirm, “... in the United States, 80 percent of us live in large, densely populated urban areas… typically hundreds of miles, often thousands of miles, from the major sources of production” (Source F). Modern society has moved away from rural areas to urban cities far from the production of food. These choices make it increasingly difficult for some to take part in this movement. Dueling choices have become a major roadblock for many who strive to take part, and will take many to help resolve the issue in the long run. Therefore, for now, this population pattern will continue to hinder this dietary
Consumers choose where their money is spent, and where it is spent has an incredible effect on local and national economies. The New Economic Foundation, based in London, conducted a study that displayed, “a dollar spent locally generates twice as much income for the local economy” (Source A). Money rapidly seeps from the community when food products are bought from non-localized sources, say from Walmart. Cause and effect goes on to inadvertently impact every consumer. Why hurt, when helping is a possibility, and an easy one to carry out? Additionally, through the encasement of locally bought foods, the number of available jobs increases. In particular, the number of small farms has increased an outstanding 20 percent to 1.2 million throughout the past six years, as the Agriculture Department has released (Source E). This increment of farms means more jobs will need to be filled, which potentially could decrease unemployment. Reviewing the economic cycles, this has a significant impact on many other people and industries. One change, whether minute or commodious, can generate major shockwaves. In essence, switching to local cuisine can have an incredible amount of potential to improve economies