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from
Natural Life Magazine, July/August 2005
Ask Natural Life...
Eating Sustainably - Which is Best: Local
or Imported Organic?
by
Wendy Priesnitz
Q:
I live in a city and have been trying to eat organically for many years. In the
summertime, I grow a small garden and frequent farmers’ markets because I enjoy
buying from local farmers. I am happy that organics have become so popular that
many of the natural food stores and even grocery stores are now selling organic
fruits and vegetables year round. However, this spring, I was surprised to find
these stores selling imported organic strawberries and asparagus when they were
in season here! So my question is, which is better: locally grown produce that
might not be organic or imported certified organic produce?
A:
In an ideal world, you would be able to eat locally produced, certified organic
food year round. However, in many climates that simply isn’t possible. And
that’s when the decision to buy imported organic sometimes overrides the idea of
eating locally. So the question becomes: Is a product that is certified organic
but has racked up thousands of miles reaching your table still considered a
sustainable food choice?
Organic food has been found to be more nutritious, in addition
to being grown without polluting soil and water. Nevertheless, from a
sustainability perspective, eating locally wins – no matter what the season.
Food that must be transported long distances not only uses air polluting fossil
fuels, but these foods also lose nutrition value on their journeys. In addition,
some vitamins and antioxidants break down when exposed to air and light.
Researchers at two British universities recently published
results of a study that found local food (grown within a 12-mile/20-km radius)
to be more “green” than organic food. They calculated a shopping basket’s hidden
costs, which mount up as produce is transported over long distances. They looked
at factors like ...
Wendy Priesnitz is
the Editor of Natural Life Magazine and a journalist with over 35 years of
experience. She has
also authored nine
books.
Visit her
website.
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