Local food (also regional food or food patriotism) or the local food movement is a "collaborative effort to build more locally based, self-reliant food economies - one in which sustainable food production, processing, distribution and consumption is integrated to enhance the economic, environmental and social health of a particular place" and is considered to be a part of the broader sustainability movement. It is part of the concept of local purchasing and local economies, a preference to buy locally produced goods and services. Those who prefer to eat locally grown/produced food sometimes call themselves "localvores" or locavores.

The "3rd Coast Launch Party" is from 6pm to 9pm and will have "WebInteraction" presentations throughout the night from the founders ofecolect.net with food, wine, beer, sustainable networking, shopping, anda DJ to make this evening a great "wind down" to a busy week.Basil Hayden Bourbon will be providing the spirits. RSVP party@ecolect.net

America is becoming a land of foodies. From the popularity of the Food Network and shows like Bravo's Top Chef, to the popularity of cooking gear stores like Sur La Table and Williams Sonoma, more and more of us are finding out how sublime and satisfying preparing and eating dishes at home can be. Just yesterday I lingered over a bowl of perfectly-

McDonald's planned to spend $1 billion over five years to tie all its operations in to a real-time digital network. Eventually, executives in company headquarters would have been able to see how soda dispensers and frying machines in every store were performing, at any moment. After just two years, though, the fast food giant threw in the towel.

A struggling and virtually unknown corporation named Wal-Mart, known best for its spotless record, has reached an agreement to buy a chain of Trust-Mart stores in China for about $1 billion. The Wall Street Journal reported that the purchase of Trust-Mart could give Wal-Mart the biggest food and department store network in China.

"Wal-Mart Stores Inc. (NYSE:WMT - news) has agreed to acquire a Chinese supercenter chain for about $1 billion in a move that would give the world's largest retailer the biggest food and department store network in China, the Wall Street Journal reported on Monday."