A Dozen Eggs for $8? Michael Pollan Explains the Math of Buying Local

[Johnboy60]

Michael Pollan, author of "Omnivore's Dilemma" and other popular books, has become a figurehead for the local-food movement, which advocates buying in-season produce from nearby farms.

Proponents say such food is healthier and that the way it is grown and shipped is better for the environment. But it often is more expensive. Mr. Pollan says the real problem is that subsidies keep the prices of some, largely mass-produced foods artificially low.

Still, he tries to strike a middle ground between advocate and realist. In his Berkeley living room, the 55-year-old Mr. Pollan discussed where he shops for food and why paying $8 for a dozen eggs is a good thing:

Michael Pollan on Why $8 for a Dozen Eggs Makes Sense - WSJ.com

 

[sword_of_truth]

Don't worry, once peak oil starts to bite we'll be buying everything local because only the wealthy will be able to afford gas. How far can you walk with a load of groceries?

 

[trunks2k]

$8 for a dozen of local eggs? Wow. I can get a dozen local, organic, free range eggs for at most $4 at the local farmer's market.

 

[keith99]

$8 for a dozen of local eggs? Wow. I can get a dozen local, organic, free range eggs for at most $4 at the local farmer's market.

Back in hte stone age when I was a kid farmers markets were actually cheaper since they cut out the middleman. (actually a couple of levels of middleman).

Now it is a status thing, almost, no strike that, not almost, it is now conspicous consumption.

 

[theblackcat]

The cheapest solution, for my family at least, has been to grow our own. My parents have a large vegetable garden on their property, and a small coop of a few chickens. They cost next to nothing to raise, particularly in the summertime when they don't need feed, and we take most of the eggs. I live in the city when I'm not here, but I grow some of my own veggies on the windowsill in pots, usually banana peppers, tomatoes and peas. It's cheap and easy. I can't imagine anyone without space to have a pot or two of small veggies or herbs that can really save money compared to shopping. Even a cramped apartment, or a dorm like where I live, has room for things on the windowsill or front steps. Farmers markets are good places to visit, craft shows often have a few stalls where local growers offer things for sale, and if you're anywhere near the countryside there are often houses with signs out front selling crops they grew. My parents live a few km from a small town and on the ten minute drive into town there are two orchards selling apples and peaches among other fruits, two places that sell corn and a few stands with random things, berries one month, pumpkins the next. I understand if you're in an inner city it's hard to access this, but with some hunting many people can find good deals on local foods. And growing a few yourself saves a lot.

 

[ArnautDaniel]

Don't worry, once peak oil starts to bite we'll be buying everything local because only the wealthy will be able to afford gas. How far can you walk with a load of groceries?

The bigger issue will be transport costs to get the goods to your store, and the fact that we use petroleum in our fertilizers and insecticides.

Those will really cause the price of food to go up.

People need to realize peak oil isn't just going to mean driving less.

It means food is going to cost a lot more, and your household budget will change drastically.

American consumption is based on cheap food.

When food stops being cheap you will not have disposable income.