Science Pub at Salt hill, Lebanon: The Promises and Limits of Local Food
Discussion Leaders: Susanne Freidberg, Professor of Geography; David Plunkett, Assistant Professor of Philosophy; Chuck Wooster, Owner, Sunrise Farm, White River Jct.
The local food movement has mushroomed across the US, as many are persuaded that buying locally, even if it costs more, is the ethical choice. Many people assume that shortening the distance from farm to table both lowers the environmental impact of the food we eat and increases its social benefit, by supporting nearby small farmers rather than distant industrial producers. But are these assumptions valid? Is eating locally more ethical even if, as some research shows, it is not always better for the environment? Do nearby farmers deserve our dollars more than distant ones? Does buying their food have other benefits, such as for animal welfare? Can we really "vote" for a better, more sustainable food system through what we choose to eat? This is your chance to ask!
Discussion Leaders: Susanne Freidberg, Professor of Geography, Dartmouth College; David Plunkett, Assistant Professor of Philosophy, Dartmouth College
Please note: November's Science Pub is on a Wednesday instead of our usual Thursday.