Question 1: Synthesis (Locavore Movement)

                  

                               Walmart or Whole Foods? If you chose the latter, you may be a part of the Locavore movement. This trend, called the Locavore Movement, has been gaining prominence over recent years. A movement that promotes eating locally grown food or organically produced foods as much as possible, the Locavore trend has raised much controversy and questions associated with economy, efficiency, and nutrition. 

                                     The Locavore movement's main appeal to savvy eaters is its nutritious value. As Jennifer Maiser states in her article "10 Ways to Eat Local Food", local food is often fresher, more nutritious, and more delectable that its counterparts. To many people, eating locally allows for access to better quality food that are organic and nutritious. In era in which fast foods and junk contaminate our diet, the nutrition issues raised by the Locavore movement is important. Many are morally obliged to eat foods that do not contain hormones, chemicals, and involve inhumane treatment of animals. However, not many communities will be able to develop a stable Locavore food system, for it is a lot more expensive than the food sold in regular supermarkets. Thus, despite its nutritional value and authenticity, the Locavore movement may not be so practical for people with average income, and may even harm communities' economic stability. This local economic concern lies in parallel with the potential harms to the global market economy. 

                                      Another issue the Locavore movement raises is its effect on local and global economy. As stated in James E. McWilliam's article, local produce travels less distance and supports local growers. This is a very influential appeal to many locavores, for it gives them a sense of contribution and involvement. However, as McWilliam states, locavore eaters are overlooking "other energy-hogging factors in food production." Although buying locally grown food supports small farmers, it can hurt farmers in other parts of the world, for they lose consumers in the larger market. Thus, if the Locavore movement becomes prevalent, the global market economy will be negatively affected. The locality of the Locavore economy can disrupt the intricate economic web that connects communities globally.  In other words, Locavores may benefit a community in a small scale level but disrupt other communities' livelihoods. Many locavores do not recognize this issue because they are blinded by the issue of transportation efficiency. Local foods produce less carbon footprints than do market foods. This isn't so true, according to McWilliams, Natasha Loder, and Elizabeth Finkel. The chart by Loder, Finkel, and Meisner shows the greatest carbon trace is produced by production, not transportation, as many think.
                         The Locavore movement is continuing to grow in the United States, as local markets and productions are on the rise. Though nutritiously enriching and appetizing, local eating has negative impacts on global economy, and transportation and production efficiency.