Locavore?
Lorena of My Everyday Wear did a fascinating post today about eating a using local products avoiding products made in China. My instant reaction and comment was I didn't know if I could. I live in an area with what feels like 7 months of winter. I couldn't get the idea out of my head. Then I remembered a few semesters ago Dave took an entire class on being a Locavore.
From wikipedia
The locavore movement is a movement in the United States and elsewhere that spawned as interest in sustainability and eco-consciousness become more prevalent. Those who are interested in eating food that is locally produced, not moved long distances to market, are called "locavores."
I plan to talk to him on the feasibility of could we even do this. So getting back to Lorena's post she went on to detail where the items she used that day was from. I ran around my house and looked on everything I'd used today. I come from a factory family. Every member of my family worked at the local factory. They made the meters on the side of your house that gauges your electricity. That factory is what put food on our table the past 50 years. My grandparents met there. My mom worked there when I was little. She bought me a pool with her first paycheck. Other members of my family worked at other local factories. All of them are almost all gone. They've been outsourced to other countries. It's really depressing to drive past the factory in the middle of my home town. It's run down and lifeless. 25 years ago everyone I knew worked there.
The first thing I had today was a drink at Starbucks. I have no idea where the coffee was from but I can ask tomorrow. I also had a tiny pink donut from there. Again no idea. (not off to a great start here.)
I brushed my teeth when I got up.
The package doesn't say! Oh come on! Really 3 things and so far I have totally fouled.
Make that four! I showered last night but I used deodorant this morning. The package gives no clue as to where it was made. (I shall email the company!)
Then I used perfume. I was feeling nostalgic to Dave circa 1996.
This was made in the USA, ok this is getting better.
I also used makeup today.
My mascara was made in France. My Blush was from Italy, eyeshadows from Canada, concealer and lipstick from Belgium. But all are made by the same brand! Fascinating Eh?
For lunch I had a grilled cheese and fries. I had them at a place on campus. No idea where they came from. But what I can say is this particular place is actively trying to get all their food locally. I don't know how successful they are at it.
I had a Pepsi when I got home.
Imagine my surprise that it was made locally! It's from here in Mass.
I washed my hands with soap from Guatemala.
For dinner I had last nights leftovers.
I don't have the information on the ham or potatoes but they were both "organic" from Whole Paychecks I mean Whole Foods. I can only hope they were local but I'm doubtful. There were no beans left but those were from New Jersey which is 5 hours from here. I'm thinking that's not "local". The corn bread. Now that I know where it all came from. It was made by a nun in New Hampshire. Which is local. The cornbread was from my inlaws company.
Lastly the clothes on my back.
My sweater is missing the tag but it's from Gap. I know they've notoriously had Clean Clothes issues. It does appear to have a union number in it though..... Dave made my dress so that local. My purse which Dave is holding off camera was made in USA. The boots and belt? Made in China. Damn I thought I was almost in the clear.
In summation? If I was a being graded on being a Locavore, today I would of failed I would of had a dress, Pepsi and cornbread. This tells me I really need to be more aware of the things I use. I have been trying, I can say I do consciously trying to support small business but I need to expand that focus to local as well. I need to keep my local farmers and shop owners in business. I don't NEED to buy something from the big box stores. (but yet I do)
What are your thoughts on this topic? Are you aware of where your products are coming from?
I am very curious what others think about this.
From wikipedia
The locavore movement is a movement in the United States and elsewhere that spawned as interest in sustainability and eco-consciousness become more prevalent. Those who are interested in eating food that is locally produced, not moved long distances to market, are called "locavores."
I plan to talk to him on the feasibility of could we even do this. So getting back to Lorena's post she went on to detail where the items she used that day was from. I ran around my house and looked on everything I'd used today. I come from a factory family. Every member of my family worked at the local factory. They made the meters on the side of your house that gauges your electricity. That factory is what put food on our table the past 50 years. My grandparents met there. My mom worked there when I was little. She bought me a pool with her first paycheck. Other members of my family worked at other local factories. All of them are almost all gone. They've been outsourced to other countries. It's really depressing to drive past the factory in the middle of my home town. It's run down and lifeless. 25 years ago everyone I knew worked there.
The first thing I had today was a drink at Starbucks. I have no idea where the coffee was from but I can ask tomorrow. I also had a tiny pink donut from there. Again no idea. (not off to a great start here.)
I brushed my teeth when I got up.
The package doesn't say! Oh come on! Really 3 things and so far I have totally fouled.
Make that four! I showered last night but I used deodorant this morning. The package gives no clue as to where it was made. (I shall email the company!)
Then I used perfume. I was feeling nostalgic to Dave circa 1996.
This was made in the USA, ok this is getting better.
I also used makeup today.
My mascara was made in France. My Blush was from Italy, eyeshadows from Canada, concealer and lipstick from Belgium. But all are made by the same brand! Fascinating Eh?
For lunch I had a grilled cheese and fries. I had them at a place on campus. No idea where they came from. But what I can say is this particular place is actively trying to get all their food locally. I don't know how successful they are at it.
I had a Pepsi when I got home.
Imagine my surprise that it was made locally! It's from here in Mass.
I washed my hands with soap from Guatemala.
For dinner I had last nights leftovers.
I don't have the information on the ham or potatoes but they were both "organic" from Whole Paychecks I mean Whole Foods. I can only hope they were local but I'm doubtful. There were no beans left but those were from New Jersey which is 5 hours from here. I'm thinking that's not "local". The corn bread. Now that I know where it all came from. It was made by a nun in New Hampshire. Which is local. The cornbread was from my inlaws company.
Lastly the clothes on my back.
My sweater is missing the tag but it's from Gap. I know they've notoriously had Clean Clothes issues. It does appear to have a union number in it though..... Dave made my dress so that local. My purse which Dave is holding off camera was made in USA. The boots and belt? Made in China. Damn I thought I was almost in the clear.
In summation? If I was a being graded on being a Locavore, today I would of failed I would of had a dress, Pepsi and cornbread. This tells me I really need to be more aware of the things I use. I have been trying, I can say I do consciously trying to support small business but I need to expand that focus to local as well. I need to keep my local farmers and shop owners in business. I don't NEED to buy something from the big box stores. (but yet I do)
What are your thoughts on this topic? Are you aware of where your products are coming from?
I am very curious what others think about this.
Comments
Starbucks has one Fair Trade blend, Cafe Estima.
Haribo gummies are processed allover the world too, like your makeup. It's "fun" to go thru the bags and see where each flavor is produced.
I'm not so good about getting everything else local though. I like to buy Proctor and Gamble toiletries because it's a Cincinnati company, but I have no idea if the stuff is actually *made* in Cincinnati or if the headquarters are just here. And if I find something better that's not made by P&G...I'll buy that something better instead.
The thing that really bugs me is when the label of something has two addresses, one local and one thousands of miles away. I have no idea which one it came from! And when the label says "Sold by so-and-so, Cincinnati, Ohio" - well, to me that sounds like maybe that milk was pumped from cows in South Dakota and shipped all the way to Cincinnati to be bottled up and sold. Or something. I wish there were just very clear "This came out of a plant or animal who lived in Ohio" label. But it's rarely that clear.
Have you read "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle"? A great book about the importance of buying local.
Thanks again.
If you really want to buy local, probably the easiest thing to do is eat more local food. See if there are any farmer's markets in your area, or if there is a food co-op where maybe you can get vegetables. You would have to go on a seasonal diet, as you would no longer be getting hothouse tomatoes from Mexico in January, but I've always thought something like that would be fun to try.
Athens, Ohio is a pretty excellent little college town where they are all about the local food movement. There are several aisles in the regular old supermarket (not even a Whole Foods, I think it's a Kroger) devoted to organic and local products and a lot of the eateries there serve dishes made entirely of locally produced food items. I drank some organic milk that came from a farm 30 miles up the highway for the 3 months I was living there and it was the best damn milk I've ever had.
It's the products I need to work on the local part hardcore.
I buy mostly second-hand clothes, but when I do buy new, I try to at least support local businesses or Canadian-owned businesses as much as I can.
Whew. I'll get off my soap box now (and start to formulate a post about this myself, perhaps!). Thanks for the lovely post, Hillary!
They just aren't me and Dave at all. We are more sparkle heart shape plate people.
I am fortunate to have a locally sourced food coop, and a big backyard garden. That helps the food part. (They even have homemade soaps and cleaning gear). Clothing and accessory wise, I am pretty flexible. I try to score amazing deals on quality items that I know I won't be replacing any time soon - In general, I avoid disposables - So at least I'm less wasteful, even if the item is from far away. I also swap and buy secondhand often.
Personal care products are the biggest challenge - I agree. Cruelty-free is probably more important to me than origin, but if I can find both, its a win. I love my Aveda and Philosophy, but idk where they are made.
Everyone has their own comfort zone. When ever I try to follow extreme rules, I eventually burn out. So I just try to find a happy balance. I'm learning all the time.
Great post. Would love to hear more.
As you may have seen from yesterday's or today's post so far I depend on half of the world by noon.
Today I realized I had made in China in most of the things I wore.
Are you ok with me linking this to my blog ?
Also , will you be doing it all week ?
:)
There's a book (memoir) about avoiding Chinese things, A Year Without Made in China. Basically the woman finds it's almost impossible to avoid Chinese things especially if you have kids.
Food-wise I know where it all comes from. Summers I get produce from my CSA and local farmers market. My grocery store of choice is a co-op and they are great about labeling the food origins. I try to buy as close to home as possible and generally avoid produce imported from other countries.
Fashion/Beauty wise I'm not as good - but I do like to support local designers and locally owned stores.
Basically I would prefer putting my spending money directly back into my local economy instead of some global conglomerate. With food, if you buy local, something like 32 cents for every dollar goes back to the farmer but if you buy conventional, it's like 6 cents.
Masami Not late at all at any time 3 years later tomorrow feel free to jump on any discussion. You are someone whose brain I'd also like to pick because I know you are so good with your local food. (you might help me with my eating habits as well.)In lorena's post she mentions that book as well. I should see if we have it here at the library.
Diane. I am a city dweller at times I feel a bit handcuffed (I dont know how to drive) but I know I always hit up my local markets and such. Because of Dave's celiac with our food we are hyper aware of some stuff. Like what is in this where is it from what are their labeling laws... We also TRY but dont' always succeed with I don't let him have things with too many ingredients in it because of his wacky sensitivities.
Clare I somehow knew what you meant and didn't even noticed until you mentioned it that it was wrong.
Heather I did know that. Only because of contacting companies for ingredients though.
The China thing is really hard though. I mean, just about everything in a Target or Walmart is made in China! What's really odd is that most holiday stuff - Easter, St. Patty's, etc - is from China and they don't even celebrate those holidays there!
Check out the local map:
https://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/products/locally-grown/midwest.php
My original post on the locavore challenge is
http://euphoricagony.blogspot.com/2010/09/locavore-challenge.html
its was hard!
I don't live in the Midwest.
I so didn't even know they grew potatoes there.
He also wasn't in the least bit phased by my question which was the best part. ha.
I've been eating only organic and local food for a month last year. Also I only used eco friendly cosmetics, creams, soaps and stuff. That was a kind of a challenge, just to see if I can, if it is possible at all. I really enjoyed it after all and even now I do buy organic food as much as possible.
However, OMG! I never thought about checking where were all those things made. I liked it so much I might even try do it myself. I almost want to run to my bathroom right now to check all the labels. lol. :D Would also like to see you doing it for a week or so.
Now about China. I read articles about how bad people are treated in China and all, but if one day we all will stop buying "made in China" things, don't you think that lot's of those people will lose their jobs, and we lose all our cheaper choices, and that won't bring any good? I don't know, but I think there should be a balance and Chinese stuff is not that really very bad.
For example. If a Zara (I don't mean Zara, it's just an example from my head) cardigan made in China in our shops costs like let's say £30, it would cost £50 if it was made in England. That's because dress makers are supposed to be better paid in England than China.
If I can afford two Zara cardigans for £30 I'll buy two cardigans, but I can only buy one for £50. But then why should I buy one for £50, if I can go to another shop and buy two cardigans there. So I don't go to Zara, because that's expensive because let's pretend Zara clothes are made locally. Zara doesn't get enough income, Zara's English dress makers don't get paid at all, I don't have a cardigan and no one is happy after all. That's just my opinion. I'd like to know more why others want to ignore China, I really do.
Stylegenerator now see I would buy the one $50 cardigan if it was supporting a local company. My dad is the same way but my gram would buy the multiple cheaper ones. I made a conscious decision about 2 years ago now to buy more quality over quantity because I was buying lots of things I only liked and instead I am saving up and buying only things I love and I find I have much less the standing infront of a closet full and not feeling like I want to wear any of it. But that isn't to say I don't buy awesome things for wicked cheap. I just would rather support a local company with better labor laws. Also my mom and my inlaws both own small mom and pop companies and both my dad's are self employed and how hard it is for them all to just stay afloat and I would like to support others in similar situations. I also really really don't like seeing tons and tons of people wearing the same dress as me. It doesn't feel special anymore.
I've been doing lots of jobs here in England, and I can't say that I was treated well everywhere, also quality of a product wasn't always the company's priority.