Topic: Just Food: The Localvore Myth

[SkepticalVegan]

I got a copy of Just Food: Where Locavores Get It Wrong and How We Can Truly Eat Responsibly by James McWilliams for my birthday, I finished it pretty quickly and have been meaning to post about it as I though it was quite good. Its generally about busting some myths and misconceptions that stand in the way of sustainable agriculture like GMOS=evil, organic&local=good

I know what you thinking, "Oh silly Soymilk" but this isn't another piece of vegan propaganda I'm pushing, the book deals quite honestly with some interesting sustainable animal food production models such as aquaponics (what he calls the "blue revolution") but does end up arguing that we will need to reduce the amount of meat consumed (calls it the "new caviar") and the author did end up going vegan himself during the writing process

It also deals with of course localvores and "food miles" vs. LCAs (life-cycle assessment), the organic craze, a positive case for GMOs, and food and trade subsidies as they relate to sustainable agriculture.

I highly recommend this book.

[SkepticalVegan]

I wanted to add two interviews with the author well worth listening, first on the Our Hen House podcast and one on the Animal Voices radio show/podcast

I found out about the book from one of these but I cant vouch for everything on either of these podcast, in fact I often find myself cringing while listening but every now and then you find a gem.

[lonely moa]

The marketing groups for NZ export produce (dairy and meat especially) like the whole footprint approach, as a kilo of butter or leg of lamb from here, shipped by sea, has a much smaller energy footprint than, say, a leg of lamb or packet of butter from the UK.  I'd like to read it if it shows up here.  We sort of had to get a good handle on such things, our geography being what it is.

I'll spend my dosh on "Primal Body Primal Mind" first, though.  Might have to go snack on some very local roast beef for a little bedtime snack.