Via Cascadia Scorecard Weblog, “Survive Locally“:
Of a vegetarian diet comprised of foods only found within 100 miles:
“It turns out it’s both difficult and expensive. Local grains don’t exist, except for a few heritage grains. Yes, there are local free-range cows and chickens, but the animals are raised on non-local feed. In summer, BC’s abundant farmer’s markets serve them well, but many of the supermarkets still sell much shipped produce, except for, say, local organic salad mix at $17.99 a pound. Summer, of course, only lasts so long.
And here’s the kicker: Vegetarianism doesn’t work well because soy isn’t grown locally. So they’re forced to ask this question: ‘Does vegetarianism fit into a local, sustainable diet?’ And the answer isn’t clear at all.”
Soy isn’t really a show-stopper, but it’s a big part of the protein intake of most vegetarians these days. Other alternatives are plentiful, but are they plentiful within 100 miles of one’s residence?