Today, in the Binghamton library, I saw a book they had recently purchased. "This would be great for my Sustainable Saturday post!" I thought to myself. "Just think, a book called 'Locally Grown. Portraits of Artisanal Farms from America's Heartland' by Anna Blessing. This is perfect."
I lived briefly in Iowa back in the 1970's, I used to have family in Iowa and I still have family in Peoria, IL. I've been to the "heartland" several times. I know some of those places. I thought I found a winner of a book.
I browsed the book. A farm in Dyersville, Iowa caught my eye. I had visited Dyersville, Iowa back in 1995 with my spouse, a cousin who grew up in Iowa, and my then-young son. We walked the Field of Dreams. (Yes, it is a real place.) We shopped in the Ertl store (and I know its toys are now made in Mexico and China).. We hoped to get to the Seed Savers Exchange in Decorah but that had to wait for another day. (Actually, it is still waiting.)
Suddenly something caught my eye.
"Printed in China."
Time froze.
Does anyone else out there find something wrong with a book devoted to locally produced, quality food being printed outside our country.
Participating in the Author Blog Challenge last month, I cyber-met a number of authors who have knowledge of publishing. It's a subject I need to learn more about.
I've known for a long time that a lot of books being sold in this country aren't printed here.
But, if you are supporting local farmers - shouldn't your book be printed - locally? And if not possible locally, then certainly within the United States?
It's bad enough the computer I am typing this on isn't made in the United States. Sometimes you can't find a product made here. But I do try to read labels on things I buy. I had just never thought of looking at the books I buy to see if their publishing was outsourced.
Too bad a book on local food was printed thousands and thousands of miles from home. I don't blame the author - I don't think she had control over that.
Ironic? A sign of the times? Something we should care about, as we carefully try to "shop local" and "support your local farmer?"
What do you think about this?
Thursday, July 19, 2012
1 comment:
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I think it is a shame. I don't think the author had any control over it, and I just wish it was maybe easier to do things here in our country. When did it get like this? Where was I? I wish this was the dream, not the reality! As always, a wonderful post.
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