On the other hand... buying locally keeps more of your money in the local economy, supporting your local farmers, farm workers, their families, the stores they buy from, the people who work on the equipment, who build the barns and homes and even the bloggers who blog about it.

Sure, some things like a computer need to be made in one of a few factories in the world to achieve economies of scale. That is a high value item requiring intensive specialized equipment. But food is not like that.

There is also the whole issue that when food is imported we become dependent on foreign sources and transportation for a basic necessity. That is bad security.

There is a lot to be said for think globally, hopefully it will pull us together and stop stupid warring. There is also a lot to be said for acting locally and that means buying as locally as possible.

Ideally people would get back in touch with the land and grow a goodly portion of their own food.

"There is also the whole issue that when food is imported we become dependent on foreign sources and transportation for a basic necessity. That is bad security."

So your idea to increase "security", is to impose what is, in effect, a preemptive trade embargo on foreign agricultural goods? My guess is your strategy would have the opposite effect.

"Ideally people would get back in touch with the land and grow a goodly portion of their own food."

I don't know if you're aware, but you seem to have basically paraphrased the political philosophy of Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge. Just speaking for myself, I have better things to do than live a simple peasant life, toiling sixteen hours a day behind an ox pulling my crude wooden plow.

To me, buying local is also about being informed: you get to know the people producing your food. In this way, you become intimately aware of the environmental impact of those details. At that point, it is safe to depend on market forces to drive out un-eco-friendly practices; the farmers/bakers/etc. who harm the most will be know to do so, and those that harm the least will get more customers. This is the level at which capitalism works like it should. It depends on informed consumers, and as I said I believe that's what buying local is about.

I don't know if you're aware, but you seem to have basically paraphrased the political philosophy of Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge. Just speaking for myself, I have better things to do than live a simple peasant life, toiling sixteen hours a day behind an ox pulling my crude wooden plow.

Nice shot with the Godwin there.

Food Miles: it seems to be all the rage these days. I understand all your concerns and I agree with you guys in theory as they all make sense. However, take everything into account: I think the reality might far more complex than it appears.

Firstly, we are bombarded with information about green campaigns and how we should switch to these eco-friendly versions. Food miles is one of the ideal systems amongst them. But meanwhile, it is suggested by many people that food miles are not sufficient to measure environmental impact. Things like land efficiency, use of pesticides, irrigation requirements need t be looked up as well.

Secondly, many supermarkets are branding their schemes or products as “Green”, even though there is no discernable reason for doing so. With a premium attached to the label, does this mean that the healthiness of the food is equal to the money spent? Spending more money means better health and ethics? I recommend Local and Fresh Foods: Are they just a privilege for the Middle Class

Thirdly, Food miles are fundamentally connected to sustainable development, a topic that has become increasingly important across the globe over the last 20 years. If it is endemic in our culture for years, it’s not something that can be changed overnight. The whole debate requires a consistent approach from governments, industry and consumers.

The article is somewhat comparing apples and oranges: of course a product grown locally but with diesel fuel in the soil is bad, but if it's grown responsibly locally, that's the best it can be. And, an eco-friendly diet can include spirits (if locally distilled using local natural ingredients) and meat (just read anything by Joel Salatin); I'm tired of certain people saying that the only way to be "ecologically friendly" is to go vegetarian... 'cause that ain't necessarily the truth.

Buying locally is all about seeing where your veggie or livestock is grown; knowing it wasn't grown with poisons (which will wind up in your body), knowing hundreds of gallons of expensive and non-renewable fuel wasn't used to get the product to you (which also raises the product's price), knowing that it's gonna taste GOOD, knowing that your money is staying local, bringing your own re-usable box or basket or bag so 'packaging' isn't an issue... those are some of the main points of buying and eating locally.

If you don't mind your money going into the pocket of some far-away rich corporate exec, who obtained the product you purchased from Pakistan, then not buying local is fine for you, then, and is your absolute right as an American.