A new documentary short from the Less=More sustainable agriculture coalition explores how the purchase of food from local Michigan farmers who use healthy, sustainable practices has a greater benefit to local economies, the environment and public health than products from conventional industrial agriculture. Local, Healthy Food: The Real Bargain, a nine-minute short, explores the economic, environmental and health effects of consumer shopping choices through interviews with farmers, researchers and other experts in Michigan. The film is available online at http://tinyurl.com/TheRealBargain.
“A dollar is spent in a certain community, 73 cents on that dollar stays in that community, as opposed to spending money at a non-locally owned business — only 42 cents on a dollar stays in the community,” says Hanna Schulze, program and events coordinator at the Grand Rapids non-profit Local First. Schulze points out that consumers are accustomed to thinking food should be inexpensive. “Why should I spend $9/pound on ground beef when I can go to XYZ store and get it for $2/pound. We’re not asking ourselves why is it $2/pound,” she says.
Local, Healthy Food: The Real Bargain answers that question. Economies of scale give industrial agriculture, especially large-scale animal facilities known as factory farms, a huge advantage over local producers using earth-friendly farming practices. In addition, mega “farms” that confine livestock in warehouses or in crowded, open feedlots get substantial taxpayer subsidies their sustainable counterparts don’t receive. A 2013 report issued by Less=More offers evidence that even when poor disposal practices of chemical- and contaminant-filled wastes from Michigan factory farms lead to water, land and air, pollution and violations of state and federal environmental laws, they still receive taxpayer support.
Read more about Local, Healthy Food: The Real Bargain here, and then share it on Facebook and Twitter. Spread the word!
Source: Sierra Club
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