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- Title
Do locavores have a dilemma? Economic discourse and the local food critique.
- Authors
Scharber, Helen; Dancs, Anita
- Abstract
Local food critics have recently argued that locavores, unaware of economic laws and principles, are ironically promoting a future characterized by less food security and more environmental destruction. In this paper, we critically examine the ways in which mainstream economics discourse is employed in arguments to undermine the proclaimed benefits of local food. We focus on several core concepts in economics-comparative advantage, scale, trade and efficiency-and show how they have been used to challenge claims about local food's benefits in the areas of economy, environment, food security, and food quality. After reviewing the arguments, we then evaluate some shortcomings that emerge from this reliance on economic logic and, importantly, we assess what local food proponents may take away from these critiques. We conclude by identifying several pathways for future research.
- Subjects
LOCAVORES; LOCAL foods; FOOD security; ENVIRONMENTAL degradation; COMPARATIVE advantage (International trade)
- Publication
Agriculture & Human Values, 2016, Vol 33, Issue 1, p121
- ISSN
0889-048X
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1007/s10460-015-9598-7