Organic vs. Local Food: Which Is Better?

Over the last few years, grocery chains have seen a shift. Organic foods are becoming the new fad. Health nuts are thrilled at the alternative to pesticide sprayed fruits. As a cashier at our local supermarket Hannaford, I have seen an increase in this organic fad. Over the last year, we have dedicated an entire section of the store to organic food; we gave away reusable fabric bags to customers who purchased organic foods. My school recently had an organic vending machine placed in our cafeteria. So what's all the organic food excitement about? It seems that the rise in concern over harmful pesticides has directly affected the marketability of organic foods. Health-concerned consumers who fear cancer are pacified by the new emerging market of organic foods. Although organic is generally more expensive, consumers are willing to spend more. Organic is said to be better for our environment because the farms do not use synthetic pesticides. They also pay more attention to their energy expenditures, choosing efficient ways to run the farms. Organic food is a nutritious way to buy food, but there’s an alternative.

Local food has its own enthusiasts who encourage consumers to buy food locally. Organic food has been sweeping the nation, but local food advocates aren’t businessmen. They cannot secure their own section of a grocery store or market their products in a vending machine. (Would you buy an apple from a vending machine?) Despite the organic movement, local food advocates are certainly having their say. People are slowly becoming “locavores,” a term given to those who eat local food. So what’s all the local food excitement about? First of all, if you've ever bitten into a locally grown fruit or vegetable, you can taste the difference. If you don't have access to freshly grown produce, just use common sense. A tomato grown in California then shipped to New York will be stored in cold crates, many days old, and covered with pesticides. A tomato grown in a small upstate New York farm hasn't been stored or sprayed. Perhaps the success of locally grown food is simply psychological. The idea of buying processed food is pretty unappealing; however, eating food grown by a community member is a quaint idea. I personally witness the enthusiasm for local food in my home town. There are a few fruit and vegetable stands near where I live, and they are constantly occupied. Our local apple orchard sells bags of apples to our Hannaford, who in turn watch as the locally grown apples fly off the shelves. Simply said, whether it's the concept or the taste, people like locally grown food.

I remember going to a rally where the phrase “Think globally, eat locally” was used. So how does eating locally help globally? As our world becomes greener and greener, many have shifted their focuses to “what can I do?” The uneducated shrug and hide behind all-too-common rationalizations. They convince themselves that these global problems aren’t happening, it won't affect them, or they can't do anything to help. WRONG. Our global dilemma is as closely intertwined with human choices as it is with scientific research. Sure, engineers are looking for the solution in renewable energy sources, but the general public has as much control over the problem as the engineers. In relation to the organic vs. local debate, the public should take a closer look at the energy expended to get the food from the farm to the plate. Sure, organic food is healthier and more environmentally friendly to grow, but it is not necessarily more environmentally friendly to ship across the nation. If we were to ship that Californian tomato to New York, more than 3000 miles of gas would be used, whether on the road or in the air. That means more than 3000 miles of CO2 emissions.

So do the ends justify the means? Is it worth emitting CO2 into the atmosphere for that organic apple? Of course not! We have locally grown food without the pesticides, yet they don’t require the money or energy to transport to your plate. True, organic farms are energy efficient in their processes, but the energy cost of transportation overshadows their green practices. Who can deny the charming image of a home-grown apple? In a world where nearly everything is processed and shipped, local food has a certain appeal. So think globally, eat locally.

http://eatlocalchallenge.com
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1595245,00.html

America's Government and Economy Rewrite

America is a great country, and I love the freedom I have as a citizen. In fact, the reason why I can write this blog, free from any persecution, is because of the rights secured by my government. However as I grow older, my perspective begins to broaden. Why can politicians continue to manipulate the system? Why is our economy unstable? Why is America hated by much of the world? Why do so many of my peers know little about the war we are involved in? It continually perplexes me to see my friends openly condemn the war, then ask me who the Taliban are. It's time to take a look in the mirror. I must admit I know little about details of our government and economy. At the moment, I am a little wary of secrecy and deception in the American government. Before I'm pegged as an anti-American, I must clarify that I do love my country and what it stands for.

Democracy gives us the freedom of individuality. Our government allows us to have individual opinions. As an American, I can openly speak about my political beliefs and condemn or acclaim whomever I wish in the upcoming election. All Americans are guaranteed the freedom of speech by the United States Constitution. Any citizen in this country can fight for his or her beliefs, and potentially bring about change on the federal level. This is proven by our Bill of Rights. To secure the citizens' rights, the amendments were added to the United States Constitution. Would we have the 15th or 19th amendments if we didn't have the ability to fight for our rights? We are quite fortunate to be part of such a successful government. Another great addition to our country is our economy. Our capitalist economy puts the power of success or failure in our individual hands. I can invest my money in a business or spend it on a new iPhone. I can buy stocks or open a savings account. As an American, I have the ability to use my individuality and intelligence to climb the economic ladder, or fail miserably. Because of our successful governmental and economic choices, our entire lifestyle is ridiculously privileged. As an American teenager, I am the epitome of privileged! I have my own computer, clothes, bed, cell phone, and a room full of possessions. Electricity, running water, and transportation are all available from my comfortable four-bedroom two-story house.

With our cushioned lifestyle, Americans are indubitably proud. Many Americans tend to believe our country is the best. Of course all countries have pride, but how soon does this turn into complacent self-acclamation? I believe that our pride causes complacency, which leads to ignorance and apathy. I think this complacency blinds us. We need to take a cold, hard look at ourselves. Wherever we look, we find greedy politicians and officials. Our dollar is failing, Wall Street is beginning to slip, yet politicians and businessmen are thriving through manipulation. Our federal government is choosing to turn a blind eye to the under-the-table money exchanges and acts of greed all too common in our politicians. Corruption is not new to our country. The American government has struggled with its fair share of greedy politicians and businessmen over the years. There are handfuls of men who are all too eager to trick the government. The problem is, there are no whistleblowers. The men who have the ability to stop the greedy are also entangled in the web of politics. In reality, Jimmy Stewart's Mr. Smith is pretty implausible. Of course, our politicians could be worse. But then again, they could be much better.

Complacency in society has altered and harmed America as a potential world model for democracy. For years, America has striven to become the 'city upon a hill' that John Winthrop spoke of in 1630. The dream for America to be a model for democracy has always been in our vision, yet we are proving to the world that we are more concerned about celebrities than foreign affairs. Recently I watched a newswoman report the death of Bernie Mac while the ticker tape below reported the current situation in South Ossetia. Honestly, Americans are oblivious to foreign issues. We embarrass ourselves with our ignorance, and continue to give other countries reason to dislike us. If we continually show the world how superficial we are, democracy and capitalism will become harder and harder to advocate. American soldiers are dying for democracy while we prove our enemy's point.

So our government is corrupt, our economy is beginning to shake, and our society is still watching American Idol. Where do we go now? Instead of complaining about the darkness, we need to light a candle. We need to educate our youth, and in some cases our adults, in politics and the economy. Two half-semester courses of Participation in Government and Economics in a student's senior year in high school is not enough to make an educated decision in an upcoming election. As citizens in a world superpower, Americans have an obligation to pay attention! We need to at least know what our foreign policy is, if not what actions we are currently taking overseas. The film Lions For Lambs follows a professor's attempt to convince an apathetic college student to take action. He urges his student that “the problem is not with the people who started this. The problem is with us, all of us, who do nothing.” As a teenager, I realistically can only change myself. I plan to educate myself in American government, economy, and foreign affairs. Let's stop complaining. Let's do something.