To be organic or not

Back in high school, organic had something to do with chemistry, ‘cause we were studying matter, its properties, and reactions to mixing and compounding materials. Organic chemistry has to do with carbon-containing matter that derived from a plant. Organic took on a specific meaning to farmers and those of us who eat food around 1940 or so.

In reaction to the innovations of agribusiness interests that worked feverishly to increase production volume by introducing pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers, fears entered the minds of many about toxic materials entering the food supply, declines in natural soil fertility, and more prevalent erosion. Many including Rudolf Steiner, Sir Albert Howard, and J.I. Rodale attempted to move farming back to natural methods.

Ask farmers and scientists now and you will find at least two distinct schools of thought. Organic farming makes a difference, or it doesn’t, and each has studies to try to prove a point. Regardless, organic farm-to-table businesses thrive in the US and other developed countries around the world.

According to the Organic Trade Association’s 2011 Organic Industry Survey, the U.S. organic industry grew at a rate of nearly eight percent in 2010 to over $28.6 billion. Experiencing the most growth, organic fruits and vegetables, which represent 39.7 percent of total organic food value, and nearly 12 percent of all U.S. fruit and vegetable sales, reached nearly $10.6 billion in 2010, up 11.8 percent from 2009 performance.

These impressive numbers show demand from people like you who want to be healthier and fitter, want to make sure your kids have what they need, and those of us who recognize the lack of nutrition in almost all processed foods. Fortunately, the Organic Foods Production Act brought regulation and standards to the burgeoning industry and organic farming and development of foods, fabrics and textiles, cosmetics, and more. Organic farming systems rely on ecologically based practices such as cultural and biological pest management, exclusion of all synthetic chemicals, antibiotics, and hormones in crop and livestock production. Here’s where you can find the USDA’s Organic Labeling and Marketing Fact Sheet.

Smile!

In a perfect world, we would not need the legislation. Ethical producers,major food manufacturers all the way down the food chain to the mom-and-pop farm would actually do what they claim. However, you and I must beware of the truth in labeling we see on the grocer’s shelf. This New York Times article, Has Organics Been Oversized, will bring you up to speed for the moment.

This also serves to introduce the hazards that far outweigh the benefits of many genetic modifications that food scientists have introduced. Look for the label non-GMO Project. Some foods have become dangerous because of one or the other of these food production methods. The non-GMO Project, sprang up among producers who have tried to push the government for further reforms in the current laws to include genetically modified foods in labeling practices. You deserve to know that what you’re buying and eating contains substances that change its fundamental chemistry, if that is the case. Corn stands as the best example. Most commercially grown corn comes from seed that has been cultured to contain innate pesticides and growth hormones. This may be good for volume producers, but your body may be susceptible to the changes. Your sophisticated body systems may struggle with genetically modified foods.

You have choices. You can grow your own foods, using organic methods like those you’ll find in Mel Bartholomew’s Square Foot Gardening, or you can find local organic farmers and product producers, like some of our favorites, Sow True Seed, Cal-Organic, Jason care products, UDO’s and others. Otherwise, you need to learn the labeling codes and practices, read between the lines, and rely on advice from committed sources like this blog and The Hallelujah Diet.

Look around the Internet. You will find abundant information, some confusing, but all attempting to help get you on a disease-free track in your life. Here are links to get you started, showing the “Dirty Dozen” and “Clean Fifteen,” your guide to organic produce.

Of course, the fun part is the food itself. Food is fun. Food is delicious, but not all food gives your body the nutrition it’s looking for. In the next few days, we’ll dig that ground and produce some dishes from the concepts of feeding your body. We’ll tickle your taste buds and you’ll see how quickly and easily you can prepare great meals. Ready?

Be Well!