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I call my banana sustainable

Posted at 10:35 AM on February 26, 2008 by Sareen Dunleavy Keenan (5 Comments)

There is a small convenience store near my house that is run by a nice old man. I am not sure how long he will stay in business, but I hope to keep him there for as long as possible. I cannot tell you how many times I have gotten myself into a recipe and forgotten an ingredient. Do I have to head off to the supermarket? No! I just walk a few blocks and pick up a stick of butter, or whatever I am missing.

The selection goes beyond butter and candy bars. There have been many days that I have tried Dokken's Supperette, assuming that they wouldn't have it but hoping that they did. I mean, how many convenience stores have molasses? How about both light and dark? I feel spoiled.

Anyway. The store also sells produce. While I often wonder if they make any money on it, I appreciate the offering. Not because this is a fantastic source of local foods. I appreciate it because they will save the banana's that they pull off the shelf. They put them in a box, slightly out of the way, but they are there. Almost any day of the week I know I can wonder down the block and get PERFECT banana's for banana bread. Every time I bring them forward and he says "I have better bananas" or "you cannot possibly pay for them."

I can rationalize the banana purchase in many different ways. In one way, these bananas were destined for the garbage. Better that they are in my bread than rotting in a landfill. In another way, it is evident that they are purchasing more than they can use. So should I really support that purchasing habits? Again, I think my banana is sustainable. I am happy with them, and I am happy with supporting a local business (when he lets me pay).

Comments (5)

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Sareen,

I think you provide a great example of how our conceptualizations of sustainability can extend beyond natural resource management to concerns that include the sustainability of local businesses. Thanks for your post.

Fellow locavore,
Tim

Posted by Tim Baird | February 26, 2008 3:52 PM

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I agree with Tim, Sareen. While some of the small businesses I purchase from may not be practicing a local, sustainable and natural way of life similar to what I am trying to do, they are providing economic support to the local community, to their employees, to their families and to themselves.

While Walmart now has a "local green Idaho" product aisle, I would much rather shop at the small family owned store that has the bananas, produce from Mexico and cheap imports from China.

I still make appropriate buying decisions and try to persuade them to look at stocking alternative products and discuss the issues with cheap imports but overall I am comfortable knowing that my money is having a greater local impact here than over across the miles of parking spaces at the big-box stores.

Posted by Scott | February 26, 2008 11:02 PM

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First, I love Dokken's.

Second, I agree with both of the above and you about different ideas of sustainability. I hear a lot about how sometimes something local may not have 'green' or cruelty-free practices, so it's better to buy non-local foods. Or because the local farmers are driving such small quantities, the carbon miles are larger, so buy conventional because they are distributed efficiently. It goes on.

I think the best choice is to do as much good as you can when presented with options and not to feel guilty about it. Sometimes the best option will be supporting a local business and therefore supporting the local economy. Sometimes it will be choosing something non-local in order to support good practices.

It sounds like you have a pretty good handle on it! well done!

Posted by Kate | February 27, 2008 11:55 AM

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Hi Sareen - I am also on board with your line of thinking. I would much rather support some of our local stores, even if what they have to offer is not strictly within the locavore guidelines. I would prefer going to our local store in Holliston, The Superette, because they are like family to us. Our world would definitely not be a better place without them. Besides, the owner is very interested in trying to carry more local items. Great words! Thanks you for sharing them with us. Take care, Barbara

Posted by Barbara Kattman | February 27, 2008 3:44 PM

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Thanks for the thoughts. Our locavore project actually started with supporting small businesses first. I think that I have mentioned it before, but I am quite frugal, so it was a difficult road for me to shop locally and avoid the "super sale" at the big box store.

Just walking through the neighborhood this week, I looked at the corner near our house and was able to say, "I have shopped at all of these businesses." It felt good to support actual people doing what they are passionate about.

Now we are able to know everyone we are buying food and household goods from. Sometimes it is local, sometimes it isn't but the money sure stays local. That feels great. - Sareen

Posted by Sareen | February 27, 2008 4:20 PM