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Hi everyone! I'm having an internal struggle between going vegan and staying local. I have recently become a vegetarian for environmental reasons, but I am having a hard time letting go of dairy (I only buy and eat organic dairy to ensure, hopefully, the happiness of the animals). I was never a big meat eater, but when the time comes I am around some local seafood I'm sure I will be tempted. I am curious to know what people think has the greatest environmental impact: eating local or eating vegan? I totally agree with Alicia when she talks about eating from whatever climate you are in because that's what your body needs. It doesn't seem impossible to be a vegan locavore, just so much more difficult. Would your diet lack in nutrients if you are vegan, but staying local? What about food miles? Thanks for the input!
I have the same argument in my head when it comes to dairy. There's a local dairy near where I live that is family-owned and operated and bottles all their own milk in glass bottles which you can return, eliminating waste. They also make cheese and ice cream and butter. Their cows are well taken care of and they do not give them any hormones. You can go visit them and see the cows whenever you want. Previously, this was the only milk I bought.
By switching to a vegan diet I would have to switch to another "milk" that is not made locally and comes in a carton that I can't return to be reused. Who knows how far this "milk" has traveled to get to my refrigerator.
So which is better? Local milk that's not vegan or other "milks" that are vegan but not local?
I think that if you know the dairy producer and believe it to be healthy for you, I say dig in! I don't eat dairy, but I don't think it's fundamentally wrong. I'd love to hear what other people have to say about this.
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