Ethical
Environmental concerns in the use of fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, and hormones. High volumes of animal wastes produced by CAFOs (concentrated animal feeding operations) all of which can contaminate soil, air, and water.
Contributors to global warming include the overreliance on fossil fuels for food production, the methane produced by animals, cattle, sheep, and pigs and the long-distance transport of the food.
Expanding agriculture and animal farming often removes natural habitats and reduces natural biodiversity.
An additional environmental concern is the deterioration of the oceans and their life forms due to overfishing and pollution.
Human Health concerns include producers' use of growth promoters, pesticides, and antibiotics that can affect child development, antibiotic resistance, and other health conditions.
Concerns about the Humane Treatment of Animals include intensive confinement and abuse in CAFOs, and inhumane conditions during production, transport, and slaughter.
Link to Website: CAFO The tragedy of industrial animal factories.
Local
Local food has more nutrients. Local food has a shorter time between harvest and your table, and it is less likely that the nutrient value has decreased.
Local food supports the local economy.
Local food benefits the environment. By purchasing locally grown foods you help maintain farmland and green and/or open space in your community.
Local foods promote a safer food supply. The more steps there are between you and your food’s source the more chances there are for contamination.
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