Learning to Be a Locavore Ecofeminist

8/2/2019 Learning to Be a Locavore Ecofeminist

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Learning to be a Locavore EcofeministHow Eating Local Organic Produce Supports the Ecofeminist Movement

BY JESSICA GREEN

Where Did My Produce Come From?After a long days work, eleven hours to be exact, I come home only to aimlessly stare into the openrefrigerator and kitchen pantry, attempting to answer the age-old question: Whats for dinner?

My blank, empty stare continues as I search through the fridge, the pantry, and then back to the fridgeagain. Finally, I decide to roast some lavorful vegetables, and cook some rice to create a quick stir-fry

dish. I use a few handfuls oforganic, locally grown snow peas and swiss chard from my bin delivery

(i.e.,Green BEAN Delivery), a few handfuls of diced organic zucchini, shredded carrots, and yellowpeppers from my local grocery stores organic section, as well as a pinch of fresh basil from the

garden. In addition, I heat-up a serving ofSeeds of Change multi-grain rice. Then, as I stand over thestove tossing the vegetables to achieve an even consistency, I start to think, How far did this produce

travel to make it to my plate, and at what expense to the environment? According toMichael Pollan,who premiered in the documentary Food, Inc., an average U.S. dinner travels around 1,500 miles from

its source to our plate, while locally grown food only travels around 100 miles (see diagrams on pages3-4). I continued to question the food chainand the environment that produced the very food I was

about to consume. I reach for my iPhone irst to check myLocavore andEat Local apps to understandwhat produce is in season in Kentucky, and then to call my father. As a farmer, he would know where

zucchini and yellow peppers are being grown and harvested this time of year. Throughout our call,my father describes the process from harvest to processing plant, to distribution center, to grocery

store or even a restaurant. He explains that inconventional farming techniques, which usepesticides,insecticides, andfertilizers, vegetables like lettuce (one of thedirty dozen relating to pesticides and

produce), can take twenty-one days to go from harvest to end consumer. I question how this ispossible, and why so much time is necessary. My father reveals that it is possible because modern

methods are used to slow down the growth process once harvested, and that, ironically, time isneeded to properly wash the vegetables for safety since pesticides,insecticides, and chemical

fertilizerswere utilized. I ask what the process is like for locally grown produce, and he quickly says

that the time from harvest to end consumer is about eight to ifteen days. I am still not satisied, asthere has to be a way to eat healthy without negatively impacting the environment from conventional

farming techniques. Although eating locally aids in limiting thetransportation of food for the solepurpose of eating produce out ofseason, to the point thatseasonsdo not exist within the food chain,

it is not a holistic approach. This curiosity eventually led me to theenvironmentalistand greenmovementsthat are intertwined within ecofeminism. I want to explore the nexus between

humankind and the environment, as well as follow in my fathers footsteps by growing my own

organically raised garden. In turn, I will not have to question where my produce comes from, butinstead I will adapt to be a locavore, whose produce comes from a local

resource: my familys own backyard. I will know that no pesticides,insecticides, orchemical fertilizerswere used, thatgallons of oilwere not

wasted to supply my food, and that the earth was not destroyed in orderfor me to have produce on my plate.

Food, Inc. Videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eKYyD14d_0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXmF_erEv1o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=OmrfrsnWng8&feature=relmfu

Photo Source: Jessica Green (Family Garden)

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http://www.naturallygrown.org/http://www.naturallygrown.org/http://www.greenbeandelivery.com/http://www.greenbeandelivery.com/http://www.seedsofchange.com/http://www.seedsofchange.com/http://michaelpollan.com/resources/http://michaelpollan.com/resources/http://michaelpollan.com/resources/http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/food-inc/http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/food-inc/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Omnivore's_Dilemmahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Omnivore's_Dilemmahttp://www.getlocavore.com/http://www.getlocavore.com/http://www.simplesteps.org/eat-localhttp://www.simplesteps.org/eat-localhttp://www.omorganics.org/page.php?pageid=78http://www.omorganics.org/page.php?pageid=78http://www.omorganics.org/page.php?pageid=78http://www.organicgardening.com/living/7-shocking-reasons-to-go-organic?page=0,3http://www.organicgardening.com/living/7-shocking-reasons-to-go-organic?page=0,3http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insecticidehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insecticidehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizerhttp://www.ewg.org/foodnews/summary/http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/summary/http://akorra.com/2010/10/11/10-common-reasons-additives-are-put-in-food/http://akorra.com/2010/10/11/10-common-reasons-additives-are-put-in-food/http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/faq/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insecticidehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insecticidehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insecticidehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizerhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizerhttp://www.onearth.org/blog/the-price-of-our-producehttp://www.onearth.org/blog/the-price-of-our-producehttp://www.locavorenetwork.com/content/ohio-availability-guidehttp://www.localfoodswheel.com/http://www.localfoodswheel.com/http://www.localfoodswheel.com/http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/environmentalisthttp://dictionary.reference.com/browse/environmentalisthttp://webecoist.momtastic.com/2008/08/17/a-brief-history-of-the-modern-green-movement/http://webecoist.momtastic.com/2008/08/17/a-brief-history-of-the-modern-green-movement/http://webecoist.momtastic.com/2008/08/17/a-brief-history-of-the-modern-green-movement/http://www.thegreenfuse.org/ecofem.htmhttp://www.thegreenfuse.org/ecofem.htmhttp://www.organicgardening.com/living/7-shocking-reasons-to-go-organic?page=0,0http://www.organicgardening.com/living/7-shocking-reasons-to-go-organic?page=0,0http://www.organicconsumers.org/corp/oceans101104.cfmhttp://www.organicconsumers.org/corp/oceans101104.cfmhttp://www.organicconsumers.org/corp/oceans101104.cfmhttp://www.animalvegetablemiracle.com/http://www.animalvegetablemiracle.com/http://www.animalvegetablemiracle.com/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eKYyD14d_0http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXmF_erEv1ohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmrfrsnWng8&feature=relmfuhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmrfrsnWng8&feature=relmfuhttp://www.greenbeandelivery.com/http://www.seedsofchange.com/http://michaelpollan.com/resources/http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/food-inc/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Omnivore's_Dilemmahttp://www.getlocavore.com/http://www.simplesteps.org/eat-localhttp://www.omorganics.org/page.php?pageid=78http://www.organicgardening.com/living/7-shocking-reasons-to-go-organic?page=0,3http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insecticidehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizerhttp://www.ewg.org/foodnews/summary/http://akorra.com/2010/10/11/10-common-reasons-additives-are-put-in-food/http://akorra.com/2010/10/11/10-common-reasons-additives-are-put-in-food/http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/faq/http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insecticidehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fertilizerhttp://www.onearth.org/blog/the-price-of-our-producehttp://www.locavorenetwork.com/content/ohio-availability-guidehttp://www.localfoodswheel.com/http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/environmentalisthttp://webecoist.momtastic.com/2008/08/17/a-brief-history-of-the-modern-green-movement/http://webecoist.momtastic.com/2008/08/17/a-brief-history-of-the-modern-green-movement/http://www.thegreenfuse.org/ecofem.htmhttp://www.organicgardening.com/living/7-shocking-reasons-to-go-organic?page=0,0http://www.organicconsumers.org/corp/oceans101104.cfmhttp://www.animalvegetablemiracle.com/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eKYyD14d_0http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXmF_erEv1ohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmrfrsnWng8&feature=relmfuhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OmrfrsnWng8&feature=relmfuhttp://www.naturallygrown.org/


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What is Ecofeminism?My familys desire to eat local, organically grown produce in the hopes to live a healthier, inclusive

lifestyle through the preservation of all life within the environment, illustrates the primaryfoundation of ecofeminist ideals.Ecofeminism, ameta-feminismof twin oppressions, is based upon

the parallels between the destruction and exploitation of the environment, and the oppression andmarginalization of women within the same worldview. Components of the feminist movement,

the peace movement, and the environmentalist and green movements are interwoven withinecofeminism.Ecofeminism, a global multi-issued movement, assumespatriarchy, as well as

anthropocentrismand speciesism which are the root causes of hegemony that impacts even theworlds most remote inhabitants and ecosystems.Patriarchy, anthropocentrism, and speciesism

establish the dominant binary of man as superior to all other entities, as they are seen as the mostsigniicant entity of the universe.Western societyarbitrarily creates binary dichotomies that consider

nature to be inferior to culture, and humans as being divergent from, and often superior to, the

natural environment. According to Rosemary Radford Reuther, feminist theologian, patriarchalunderstandings deine nature as a reality below and separated from man, rather than one nexus

in which humanity itself is inseparably embedded. These understandings are grounded inWesternpatriarchy, which is founded by dualism as a viewpoint that organizes the world by artiicially

segmenting it into polarized pairs of binaries (e.g., culture from nature, mind from body, spirit from

matter, male from female) that develop imbalanced power relationships. Therefore, the duality ofthese dichotomies places one binary against the other, assuming that they are polar opposites andthat one is inherently superior. This in turn, labels the marginalized binary as the other, often

causing discrimination and oppression through hegemony because the other is viewed as inferiorby the dominant binary. Consequently, ecofeminism rejects any form of hierarchy, and demands a

radical analysis of the categories of nature and culture as one entity, not artiicially segmented

binary dichotomies employing power. Additionally, alternative bounded emotionality of feministways of organizing, such as emotion, nurturing, social support, and co-operation, could create an

accepting and environmentally aware society as well as emphasize shared power. Shared power

includes inding power from within compared to imposing the manipulation and control of powerover one binary, as power must be restructured to incorporate collaborative relationships in order

to establish an interconnected community absent of all forms of hierarchy. Ecofeminists undertakeissues such as agricultural development and sustainability,animal rights, water pollution, and

deforestation. Through ecofeminism, humankind should pivot and renounce the current divisionfrom nature to equally value all life. A major step in achieving this goal is eating local, organically

grown produce to manifest a sense ofcommunity (e.g., visiting a farmers market

or joining a CSA), that views the humanspecies and nature as one nexus.Local

farmers abridge that when you buy organicyou dont just buy a product, you buy a way

of life that is committed to not exploiting the

planet, asAmericans eating local organicfoodwould reduce the amount of water,land, and chemicals utilized to produce the

food we eat, as well as the prevalence ofhealth-related diseases (i.e., diabetes),

and greenhouse gases from industrialagriculture production.

Photo Source: http://holykaw.alltop.com/how-

ecofeminism-works

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http://www.thegreenfuse.org/ecofem.htmhttp://www.thegreenfuse.org/ecofem.htmhttp://eve.enviroweb.org/what_is/main.htmlhttp://eve.enviroweb.org/what_is/main.htmlhttp://eve.enviroweb.org/what_is/main.htmlhttp://ecosocmovements.blogspot.com/2010/10/our-first-post.htmlhttp://ecosocmovements.blogspot.com/2010/10/our-first-post.htmlhttp://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patriarchyhttp://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patriarchyhttp://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anthropocentrichttp://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anthropocentrichttp://dictionary.reference.com/browse/speciesismhttp://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patriarchyhttp://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patriarchyhttp://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anthropocentrichttp://dictionary.reference.com/browse/speciesismhttp://www.thegreenfuse.org/ecofem.htmhttp://www.thegreenfuse.org/ecofem.htmhttp://www.thegreenfuse.org/ecofem.htmhttp://www.cgu.edu/pages/3563.asphttp://www.thegreenfuse.org/ecofem.htmhttp://www.thegreenfuse.org/ecofem.htmhttp://www.thegreenfuse.org/ecofem.htmhttp://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/green-science/ecofeminism1.htmhttp://www.abolitionistapproach.com/http://www.abolitionistapproach.com/http://projects.nytimes.com/toxic-watershttp://projects.nytimes.com/toxic-watershttp://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/deforestation-overview/http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/deforestation-overview/http://www.foodroutes.org/whycare.jsphttp://www.localharvest.org/http://www.localharvest.org/csa/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/22/weekinreview/22bittman.htmlhttp://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/22/weekinreview/22bittman.htmlhttp://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/22/weekinreview/22bittman.htmlhttp://www.eatwellguide.org/i.php?pd=Homehttp://www.eatwellguide.org/i.php?pd=Homehttp://www.eatwellguide.org/i.php?pd=Homehttp://www.eatwellguide.org/i.php?pd=Homehttp://www.organicgardening.com/living/7-shocking-reasons-to-go-organic?page=0,4http://holykaw.alltop.com/how-ecofeminism-workshttp://holykaw.alltop.com/how-ecofeminism-workshttp://holykaw.alltop.com/how-ecofeminism-workshttp://holykaw.alltop.com/how-ecofeminism-workshttp://www.thegreenfuse.org/ecofem.htmhttp://eve.enviroweb.org/what_is/main.htmlhttp://ecosocmovements.blogspot.com/2010/10/our-first-post.htmlhttp://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patriarchyhttp://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anthropocentrichttp://dictionary.reference.com/browse/speciesismhttp://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/patriarchyhttp://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anthropocentrichttp://dictionary.reference.com/browse/speciesismhttp://www.thegreenfuse.org/ecofem.htmhttp://www.cgu.edu/pages/3563.asphttp://www.thegreenfuse.org/ecofem.htmhttp://www.thegreenfuse.org/ecofem.htmhttp://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/green-science/ecofeminism1.htmhttp://www.abolitionistapproach.com/http://projects.nytimes.com/toxic-watershttp://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/global-warming/deforestation-overview/http://www.foodroutes.org/whycare.jsphttp://www.localharvest.org/http://www.localharvest.org/csa/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/22/weekinreview/22bittman.htmlhttp://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/22/weekinreview/22bittman.htmlhttp://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/22/weekinreview/22bittman.htmlhttp://www.eatwellguide.org/i.php?pd=Homehttp://www.eatwellguide.org/i.php?pd=Homehttp://www.eatwellguide.org/i.php?pd=Homehttp://www.organicgardening.com/living/7-shocking-reasons-to-go-organic?page=0,4


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Be a Locavore Ecofeminist and Eat In SeasonTo explore the nexus between humankind and the environment, I am becoming a locavore and

embracing ecofeminism in order to live a healthier inclusive lifestyle through the preservation of alllife within the environment. This includes eating produce that is regional and in season from farmers

markets, bin deliveries, Community Supported Agriculture (CSAs), or even your own garden. Beloware ive palpable adaptations that can be made in your everyday life to embrace your ecofeminist

from within:

1: Eating in SeasonResearch your local seasonal produce athttp://www.eatwellguide.org/i.php?pd=Home.

2: Visit Your Local Farmers MarketFind your local farmers market athttp://www.localharvest.org/.

3: Have Locally Grown Organic Food Delivered to YouVisithttp://www.greenbeandelivery.com/to place an order.

4: Join a CSALocate your Community Supported Agriculture farm athttp://www.localharvest.org/csa/.

5: Grow Your Own GardenLearn how to grow your own produce garden athttp://www.organicgardening.com/learn-and-grow/beginners-

guide-organic-gardening-farming.

It is essential to acknowledge that local organic farming allows us to build an accepting community

that is environmentally aware, and emphasizes shared power between nature and humankind toprosper an equal and healthy relationship.

To learn more about these adaptations watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhaG_Zi6izU&feature=related

Photo Source: http://www.good.is/infographics/

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http://www.eatwellguide.org/i.php?pd=Homehttp://www.eatwellguide.org/i.php?pd=Homehttp://www.localharvest.org/http://www.localharvest.org/http://www.localharvest.org/http://www.greenbeandelivery.com/http://www.localharvest.org/csa/http://www.localharvest.org/csa/http://www.organicgardening.com/learn-and-grow/beginners-guide-organic-gardening-farminghttp://www.organicgardening.com/learn-and-grow/beginners-guide-organic-gardening-farminghttp://www.organicgardening.com/learn-and-grow/beginners-guide-organic-gardening-farminghttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhaG_Zi6izU&feature=relatedhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhaG_Zi6izU&feature=relatedhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhaG_Zi6izU&feature=relatedhttp://www.good.is/infographics/http://www.eatwellguide.org/i.php?pd=Homehttp://www.localharvest.org/http://www.greenbeandelivery.com/http://www.localharvest.org/csa/http://www.organicgardening.com/learn-and-grow/beginners-guide-organic-gardening-farminghttp://www.organicgardening.com/learn-and-grow/beginners-guide-organic-gardening-farminghttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhaG_Zi6izU&feature=relatedhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DhaG_Zi6izU&feature=relatedhttp://www.good.is/infographics/


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Photo Source: http://www.jen-drivenbydesign.com/

Photo Source: http://www.good.is/infographics/page:1/sort:popular/range:all/#gallery_list_header

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http://www.jen-drivenbydesign.com/http://www.good.is/infographics/page:1/sort:popular/range:all/#gallery_list_headerhttp://www.jen-drivenbydesign.com/http://www.good.is/infographics/page:1/sort:popular/range:all/#gallery_list_header

Learning to Be a Locavore Ecofeminist

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