The authors of The Locavore's Dilemma describe limiting oneself to seasonal and local foods alternatively as "food masochism" and food "elitism." Indeed, local food can be many things. It can be an expensive, frivolous luxury, and it can be the garden that sustains you. It can be a hobby, a boost to local economies, and an opportunity for contrarians to sell books. But for anyone taking a serious look at how we can solve the world's many food-related problems, locally grown foods are an important tool in the chest. 

Ari LeVaux writes the syndicated Flash in the Pan about food and dining. Send comments to him care of Metro Times at letters@metrotimes.com.

Vocal About Local

Pierre Desrochers and Hiroko Shimizu aren't the only people calling eat-local activists enemies of "capitalism's food bonanza." Plenty of writers have taken a page from the John Stossel Playbook, hoping to appear like plain-speaking normal folks while trying to discredit trends that threaten the status quo. And locavorism has been attacked since it first came to prominence, as in a colorful 2007 radio rant by NPR's Amy Stewart called "It's Time for Locavores to Shut Up." Or take a 2010 New York Times op-ed by Stephen Budiansky entitled "Math Lessons for Locavores," in which he claims locavores simply don't know what they're talking about when they criticize Big Agriculture. But, lately these defenders of the 10,000-mile meal have been getting book deals. James McWilliams 2010 book Just Food: Where Locavores Get it Wrong, is now joined by Tyler Cowen's new book, An Economist Gets Lunch: New Rules for Everyday Foodies, in which Cowen rushes to the defense of — of all entities — Monsanto Corporation ("It is nature that is cruel and harsh, not Monsanto"). For real? Speaking of John Stossel, give us a break! —Michael Jackman

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