Food Miles

The food miles video we watched in class was very interesting and thought provoking. The positives included the supporting of local farmers. This makes them money and keeps their farms afloat. Supporting local farms can also be linked with supporting more humane farming.  A problem many people have with corporate agriculture in the present day is the cruelty and efficiency with which they go about their business. Slaughters normally take place without compassion and in a fashion that maximizes the bottom line. Local farmers tend to take better care of their livestock and give them more freedom and care while they are living. Another pro is the reduction of a carbon footprint that is left when people keep food local. Not as much travel is necessary. It could also increase the jobs in this country with more positions opening for agricultural purposes that were normally outsourced to cheaper nations with less strict wage laws. Cons include the increased price of the goods due to the decreased efficiency and availability of the product. Small farmers cannot produce at the same rates as corporate entities and the price increases. This leaves less room for people of lower income to afford food which is counterproductive. Also, this would leave many people to not have access to the type of food they want. For  instance, bananas and oranges don't grow in Minnesota. People in Minnesota would then not have access o these lovely fruits that they love to eat. Locally grown food can also be under less scrutiny by the federal government when it comes to health codes. It is easier for the government to keep track of the health codes of large corporations but it would be nearly impossible for them to keep tabs on hundreds and maybe thousands of local farms.