Check out this link to a another site/blog with comments from Michael Shuman (whose books are on the reading list here). It concisely gets to the point on the importance of buying locally, eating locally, and more.

http://www.ethicurean.com/2007/06/25/why-buy-local/

"Be Loyal, Buy Local" That became the slogan at Whole Foods stores this year. While I think it is wonderful that they are promoting local produce (mostly), I cringe a bit at the "loyal." I have thought about this a few times when I've been in Whole Foods this summer. While it's a bit of an oxymoron to ask customers to be loyal to individual growers while shopping at a large chain grocery store, it does take a committment, a certain loyalty even, to always be mindful of buying locally-made/grown goods, or shop at locally-owned businesses. It is often much more convenient to hit the mall rather than go a little out of the way to a boutique. Or to stop at the grocery store rather than find a farmer's market. But that's certainly what is to be gained by seeking out those experiences where you can talk to the grower or designer or owner and develop a certain trust and loyalty in that product. Time for a slogan about the adventure of shopping off the beaten path, going local.

I want to share a Chinese proverb that I read in a book of blessings:

"When eating bamboo shoots, remember the man who planted them."

I must start looking for more quotes--or blessings--that honor or acknowledge locally-grown and locally-made. Such a great thought to have when eating just about anything, but could be stretched to include so much more.

I've added a lot more books to the reading list here, as well as a link to the Institute for Local Self-Reliance. Thanks to Dana of staylocal.org for that tip!

In her fascinating book, "The Travels of a T-shirt In The Global Economy," Pietra Rivoli writes:

"Auggie Tantillo describes the Wal-Mart squeeze cycle, in which Wal-Mart’s squeeze on its American suppliers had bankrupted them, and led the firm to China where it squeezes Chinese suppliers as well as their sweatshop workers. At the end of the squeeze cycle, we can buy our t-shirts for 25 cents less, so on average we are richer, but at what cost?"

She goes on:

"Another divide between professional and public opinion relates to differing perspectives: While economists view matters nationally or even globally, many Americans take a local perspective. While free trade increases global welfare, some local workers, companies, and communities are the losers; the economic benefits of free trade are diffuse, while the costs are typically concentrated. When the benefits of cheaper t-shirts for millions across the country are placed alongside the costs of job loss for a few thousand in a North Carolina mill town, the public’s internal calculator often works much differently than does an economist’s."

I've never been to North Carolina, nor seen any documentaries about how communities were ruined by lost jobs there, but I am curious to learn about places where the local economy has dried up or maybe been renewed by successful local business owners. What does it take to make a successful local economy? One big employer, like a textile mill, or lots of varied small businesses? Perhaps a mixture of both. Though I'm no fan of Wal-Mart, this blog is not about anti any one specific entity but about how people are going about changing back to doing things locally--growing food in their communities (or just eating it!), seeking out locally-owned businesses, checking labels to learn where things are manufactured. In her book, Rivoli seems to be searching for how things got to be the way they are--that is, away from local.

Check out an article from the Dining section of the New York Times this week about the challenges of getting local produce to the people. Who knew? I have attached the link on the blog.

I have added more article links and a reading list to this blog. The reading list is so far a wish list for me!