Locavores are slowly turning the U.S. into a “sustainable food country.” Americans are increasingly supporting their local food markets, but contrary to what many may think, it’s not just because they believe the food is just safer to consume.
Addicted to farmers markets and food co-ops
According to a new University of Iowa (UI) study, people who eat meats and produce grown locally — locavores — are driven to buy local because they enjoy being part of a community that shares their same values.
Joining the ‘food revolution’ is what converts an increasing number of Americans, encouraging foodies to spread their passion for a healthy lifestyle and a sustainable environment. It’s more than just having a tasty dinner: locavores are making a statement with every food bite. They support the local food movement as part of a sort of “civic duty,” researchers found.
Local economy vs. big-box stores
Ion Vasi, the lead author of the study, states that the local food market has been labeled by sociologist as a “moralized market.” Aficionados mix economic activities with their social values to transform the current food system. Researchers found that local food markets were more likely to blossom in areas where residents had a strong commitment to civic participation, health, and the environment.
Back to the Future with Locavores
From a historical perspective, the recent growth of local food markets is a paradox. In 1971, Jane Pyle wrote for The Geographical Review that farmers markets were “doomed by a changing society”. At the time, there were about 340 farmers markets “on the verge of collapse” left in the United States.
However, over the past decade, the number of farmers markets listed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) more than doubled, increasing from 3,706 to 8,268 in 2014.
Plus, Vasi and his co-authors found the number of Internet searches for farmers markets almost tripled, while newspaper articles mentioning the growing movement have almost quadrupled. Meanwhile the National Restaurant Associations’ Chef Survey of 2014 finds four of the top 10 trends involve local foods movement, Medical Daily reported.
Consumption decisions based on values not price
Researchers found that locavores are the main force behind the “buy local” battle against globalization forces.
“A growing number of communities have attempted to gain control of their own economies” by investing in locally owned businesses..,” states the study.
Local or global: what side are you on? Share your views about locavores and the current food system in the comments section below.
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Locavores Drive the American Food Revolution
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