Q& A | Michael Pollan

I don't eat any industrial meat. I only eat beef that's been fed grass from start to finish.

What about chickens?

I do tend to buy organic chickens, but they don't do a lot of free-ranging. And when I can, I buy pasteurized chickens and eggs.

What about farmed fish?

Salmon are not sustainable. But shellfish are fine. Generally they purify water rather than making it filthy.

Which is more important: buying locally made or grown foods or organic foods?

Given the choice, buy local over organic. Often local food is organic, but farmers may not have the capital to deal with all the paperwork involved.

But I do buy organic chickens because they aren't fed antibiotics or growth hormones. And I buy organic milk -- but I look for milk from cows that have been grass-fed. Sometimes you can find that information on the label.