5/8/09 Locavorian fury Supermarkets force lower wages on the producers of product, by demanding a lower price on the merchandise before they will stock. That is why "fair trade" products cost more. Local produce does not need to be shipped, reducing the carbon foot-print tremendously. Local produce also does not rely on tons of plastic packaging, reducing non-biodegradable waste. Giant meat production methods reduce their livestock to a machine-like state, restricting movement and quality of life. I'd rather eat the flesh of a cow or chicken that has had a 'happy' life, as stress cannot make the meat any better. Also, in the case of pig-farms, animal waste can pollute whole counties when storage methods are sub-par. And finally, just having the immediate knowledge of where you food comes from can provide an insight into your own eating habits.