Seventy-five miles doesn't strike me as the problem. That is remarkably "local" given today's food system. Rather, and as you indicate, the problem is disparate wealth. This has bothered me for years.

We have seen renewed food systems that we cheer come into existence in recent years, but we too often fail to acknowledge that the growing gap between the rich and the poor is precisely what has made this possible.

Who doesn't love a Niman Ranch hog farmer? But these farmers that we love to love produce meat for high-end markets on the coasts. Is it better than producing hogs in confinement for export or growing corn for unmitigated biofuels production? Certainly.

But a local food system that caters to and relies upon a growing wealth disparity leaves too many of the social ills that we set out to address untouched.

Great post, Ariane and Stephanie. You've really hit on something -- the mismatch between the idea of "buy/sell locally" and market realities.

I think a common thread in the history of agriculture is that farmers depend on transport networks to reach customers. On the one hand, we have the highly organized global food system, with the problems that Gristmill readers know about.

On the other hand, we have the theoretically beautiful idea of buying locally. As you say, most farmers can't make it by selling just at the nearby farmers market.  I think most of the vendors at our farmers market come from at least 75 miles away (we are in expensive Silicon Valley).

The other problem is that taking goods to farmers markets is a big investment in time and fuel. As some critics of local food point out, farmers driving trucks to markets is not an efficient way to transport goods.

I'll bet there will be the growth of an intermediate food transport/distribution system.  Perhaps local wholesalers. There were solutions in the past and I'm sure we will re-discover them in time.

The other thing I'm thinking is that several trends are working in favor of small, local farmers.

The trend in favor of local and organic foods. The fashion will expand from the urban elite to rural and less affluent consumers, just as previous food trends have (for example, white bread and processed foods).

Continued increases in the price of fuel should make processed food and long-distance food chains less viable.

Continued increases in the price of fertilizers should favor organic producers who use compost.

Food will probably continue to rise in price, ensuring better prices for produce.

Suspicion of food from unknown sources is growing, as regulation and inspection break down.

Real estate prices should not continue upwards, as the r-e bubble continues to burst. Farmland should see a decrease in competition from housing -- high fuel costs mean that  developments outside of easy commuting distance are dropping in value.

From what I can see, the future for small farmers looks brighter than it has for a while. But conditions are changing fast, and it may take some adroit maneuvering to deal with them.

Does this correspond to what you are seeing?

Bart
Energy Bulletin

Here is a not altogether irrelevant article from Sunday's New York Times Magazine, about diversified small farms run by remarkably intelligent and inspired women in a few states hereabouts:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/13/magazine/13food-t-001.h ...

Chickens deserve our true friendship! So do fish! So do other sentient beings! Let us learn to be kind.