Shannon Matloob
Participant Media

My wife and I recently made the decision to eat local and organic. It is kind of unreasonable to expect to eat blueberries from Chile in the middle of winter. The energy (calories) in the amount of fuel it takes to ship that from South America is way more than the amout of calories our bodies derive from the food itself. The practice of shipping food that far is adding an unrequired amount to the entropy of the system.

For us it isn’t just about being a health nut, or an insane “localvore” it is about energy (oil) dependance and taste. Quite frankly foods (especially fruits and veggies) that are picked under ripe and shipped across continenets don’t taste as good as the local stuff. Often times things are grown for “shipability” not taste.

Also it is patriotic to buy American goods (cars, washing machines, etc.). I think it is equally as patriotic to but locally produced food. When my neighbor sees the benefit of my food dollar it improves our economy.

All that being said I also wouldn’t want to force my decision on anyone else… ever. I think the crux of the matter is that Americans souhld eat more fruits and vegetables. If folks can only afford F&V that are shipped or grown conventionally because it is a few bucks cheaper than the local organic, then go for it. Put down the cheetos and eat some carrots from Argentina, you have my blessing.

I would like to share that in the few months that we have made the switch we both feel better. I have tastier ingredients to cook with, which has renewed my love of cooking.

Spring and summer (in CA) is a great (easy) time to make the switch. So much good stuff is available that it really hasn’t been a sacrifice. Let’s see what happens in the winter after the eating nothing but hard squash, greens, and citrus. Hopefully we can continue.

Just remember that a movement starts at home, and if your family can afford to make the switch the benefits are present in spades.