Pros And Cons Of California Avocados

You rush to the supermarket because you remembered you have to make guacamole for your friend’s fiesta tonight. You get to the produce section of the supermarket and there are two options for avocados the California avocados or the Mexican avocados. You grab the Mexican avocados because they are much cheaper. Later you are at the party and someone mentions to you that the avocados are not very flavorful and there is no buttery texture. She then goes on to tell you about how California’s avocados are so much better. Although you did not think much of it at the supermarket, California’s avocados are grown with better quality and taste. You feel a little guilty for not helping your local farmers knowing that their produce is better and you live
But many local consumers define it as as: “food that originates across the town, the county, surrounding counties and the state” (Pearson, et. al). However, many consumers have different views on what should be considered local. Some believe that the “lesser distance the produce travels the more local it is” (Pearson, et. al). Whatever way someone may describe what “local” means the consensus is clear about farmers: trying to survive is a patient rough ride for local farms or ranches here in California. Farm businesses operate in a very competitive environment with constantly changing prices every day. Their income can vary substantially from year to year as product price rises as well as input prices and yield vary. (Deweerdt)-not right author Economically, it benefits the consumers to buy local but even more than that the farmers are able to catch a greater price for their product as well as adding a price premium. (Pearson et. al) This increases their income which positively affects the revenue in the economy leading to a “multiplier effect” by adding to employment and other industries in the local community (Pearson et.
Many supermarkets have begun to buy more locally sourced produce to help fight this battle as well such as Safeway’s in California. Almost 45% of all produce sold at Safeway’s supermarkets are sourced in California (“Local Businesses”). In 2009 they started a “locally grown” incentive where companies will buy first from local California growers. (“Local Businesses”). By buying local consumers help the environment by adopting a more “sustainable production system” (Pearson et. al) which can help minimize the energy use and our carbon footprint of the supply