A survey of 843 members of the American Dietetic Association has revealed a strong preference for US-sourced over imported food. Two-thirds would choose the US-produced option over an imported option, when presented with a choice.
An even larger majority of 81% think that it is important to know a food’s origin, and about 70% read a product’s label to find out.
71% of the polled members rated US food as excellent or good. Only 3% felt that US food was bad or terrible.
Most interestingly, perhaps, the poll notes that the preference for American food “appears to stem from the belief that US-produced food is more highly regulated than other countries.”
The survey was commissioned by the California Olive Association, which said it finds the results “gratifying.”
While food produced in California and eaten in Massachusetts (over 3,000 miles away) can hardly be considered local, it is encouraging to see that some are looking to their own country’s resources, as long as they are viable. But these ideas need to filter down through the community, as not everyone is convinced.
There are problems in the UK that stem from those trying too hard to source local product when the conditions are not right, and perhaps causing more (environmental) harm than good. Take for example, greenhouse or poly tunnel-grown tomatoes in winter, or, more recently, farmers artificially heating green pumpkins in the UK rather than sourcing them from, say, France. There is also the issue of producers in other countries that are dependent on their crop sales for their livelihood.
And is US food is more highly regulated than other countries? A definition of “regulated” is warranted. For example, genetically-modified foods are permitted in the US, while other countries ban them. Any thoughts?
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