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| <back | home Save the Planet, Buy Organic by Teresa Campbell and Mike Zelina Buy organic for better food and better farming! Why is this simple piece of advice so controversial? Probably because making the choice to buy organic is the most socially, economically and politically radical action you can make because you can commit to it every day of your life. Unlike trying to alter a lifestyle that relies on the use of gas to get to work, the kids to school, ourselves to meetings, social events, video showings, etc., buying organic is a simple, healthful dollar vote for sustaining the earth we can cast every time we buy food and beverages. From the start, organic food and produce has been under siege. Sales of organic foods have increased at a rate of 20% per year representing a challenge to the chemical-based, genetically engineered food market. Big business told us that organic foods offer no real health or nutritional benefits over industrially produced food, that people who eat organic food were more likely to be attacked by a deadly strain of E.coli bacteria, and that organic produce is unhealthful because it’s fertilized with natural manure fertilizers. By choosing organic, we not only avoid eating pesticide residues but also antibiotics, sewage sludge, mad cow disease and hormones. And don’t forget genetically engineered food. Unless it’s organic, when you purchase processed food whether it’s mayo, ice cream or chips, if it is in a box, bag or jar, it will almost assuredly contain GE ingredients. Because we don’t have labeling of GE foods as yet, the best way to be sure of eating GMO-free is to buy organic. More recently, organics has come under siege from the progressive community in the form of a “local vs. organic” debate. Unfortunately, by emphasizing local over organic, we are encouraging the continued pollution of our local air, water, and soil. To have a truly sustainable future, the conversion to organic must be the primary goal. The message should always be “Organic and preferably Local.” Even though common sense dictates that when you can know the agricultural practices of a local farmer and you are supporting organic agriculture even if the produce isn’t certified, encouraging certification is our best bet for the future of quality food. Currently the biotech industry is working with our regulatory agencies and GE researchers attempting to deregulate specialty crops. “Specialty crops,’ unlike the current big four: GE corn, soy, canola and cotton, are crops like strawberries, carrots, broccoli, and all the other items we see in our wonderful local farmers’ markets. Insisting on organic produce now will ensure its availability in the future. Concerned about the future quality of local food, other areas of the country are actively helping local farmers make the switch to organic. The Sacramento Natural Foods Coop has begun an “adopt a farm” program and has helped several farms obtain their organic certification. In the heart of GE-corn country, Woodbury County, Iowa, made history by offering property tax rebates to farmers who switch from conventional farming to organic. In all, the Woodbury County Organics Conversion Policy will grant $50,000 a year for five years to farmers participating in the program. Another common argument against organics is that it’s just too expensive. Two studies conducted on elementary-school-aged children in Seattle, WA, (http://tinyurl.com/d9orl and http://tinyurl.com/cmmsa) would convince most parents that a diet of organic food is more than economical because it protects the health of their children. “Children eat more food per body mass than adults, and their diets differ from those of adults. These diets are often rich in foods containing higher levels of pesticide residues, such as juices, fresh fruits and fresh vegetables. Recent work has indicated that children’s diets may contain pesticides at levels above the acute population-adjusted reference dose.” After 15 days of an organic diet, the drop in levels of malathion and chlorpyrifos was “dramatic and immediate” in the Seattle school kids. And the risks related to exposure to these chemicals drop dramatically, also. Lastly, the organic standard is now facing a dire threat in Congress. There is a push in the form of a rider on the 2006 Agriculture Appropriations Bill to weaken the organic standard in three areas: 1. Standards for dairy herds with regards to feed, antibiotics and hormones. 2. Changing the regulation on allowable “synthetic” substances. Currently the National Organic Standards Board reviews these substances. The weakened standard could place this responsibility in the hands of the USDA. 3. Making it easier for a company to use non-organic products when organic products are not available. This issue will be decided soon. Our organic standard is the best food quality assurance we have; now is the time to defend it. Big money is pushing hard for a loosened standard, so please join the thousands of Americans who are working to preserve it. Call your house and senate representatives at 202-224-3121 and tell them it’s important to you and your family that our organic standard be preserved. Solutions are everywhere but they start with the consumer. If you love your children, good food, good health and good soil, buy organic and encourage your friends to do the same. Whether you buy one organic item or make the switch to a 100% organic diet, it’s something you can do everyday to make the world a better place. <back | top^ |