Locavorism

Locavorism is the loose social, cultural, and political movement dedicated to promoting the idea that people should eat and support food that is locally grown and/or produced. Locavorism (less frequently [Page 910]localvorism) is an important aspect of a larger trend of the early 2000s toward mindful food consumption that saw a rise in food procurement outside the industrialized and globalized food supply chain (e.g., at farmers’ markets and through community supported agriculture schemes). Proponents of locavorism, self-labeled locavores, believe that eating locally produced food increases a region’s food security; reduces negative environmental impacts; promotes positive social, health, and economic opportunities; and simply tastes better. This entry discusses the context of locavorism, the evolution of locavorism, reasons for locavorism, and the major criticisms of the movement.