Instead of demanding chefs like Thomas Keller love us for being local or sustainable, we demanded of ourselves that we delivered the absolute best in terms of the flavor and quality of our crops? Would he love us more then?
Love is earned, not demanded.
The local food movement can demand that all segments of the eating public conform to its notion of proper eating. Or it can earn the love of that public by being better than the alternatives in all respects.
I know which strategy I think will be more successful.