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The locavore movement is a phenomenon that has been widely debated in many communities. Some think that it will provide positive benefits like healthier foods, less greenhouse emissions and a more prosperous economy. Others criticize it by describing it as not actually achieving the environmental or nutritional benefits its proponents claim. Given these points, communities starting a locavore movement have to take into account the production and transportation costs, economic impacts on the local and outside communities, and the short and long term nutritional benefits of the movement.

The nutritional benefits of food grown locally are superior to that of products shipped over distant places. Naturally, the human body as we know has many necessities. However, we can maintain a healthy body by supplying it with sufficient nutritional values it needs, nutritional needs met by locally grown food. Indeed, the majority of food at the market was harvested less than 24 hours ago (source A), which has had less time to lose its nutrition and as a result is more nutritious than non-locavore food (source A). Furthermore, fresh foods are not only healthy but they taste better than any processed food that has lost its nutritional value. “By eating with the seasons, we are eating foods when they are at their peak taste…and are least expensive”. (Source A). On the other hand, Marion Nestle, a professor and former chair of nutrition, food studies, and public health at New York University states that a, “ 100-mile diet—even in winter —was almost certainly more nutritious than what the average American was eating. That doesn’t mean it is necessary to eat locally in order to be healthy. In fact, a person making smart choices from the global megam...

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...s source C describes (apples per gallon), not just miles traveled. As a result, it’s optimal for communities to consider beginning a locavore movement only when production costs are low.

The locavore movement has some benefits that can contribute to a community. Evidently, while locavores definitely boost the local economy and result in tastier and healthier fruits and vegetables, they are not necessarily reducing the communities carbon foot print, and can have negative impacts on other parts of the world. It is especially recommended to experiment with this movement, when there are big nutritional needs and low production costs whereas it‘s discouraged to begin the movement when nutritional needs are slim and when the economy is already flourishing. The locavore movement is certainly a step that communities could take but they must decide if it fits their needs.