Comments on: Definition of Organic Food takes a hit http://wewantorganicfood.com/2007/06/30/definition-of-organic-food-takes-a-hit/ Organic food information and tips and gadgets for healthier living Sun, 15 Apr 2012 14:03:14 +0000 hourly 1 By: USDA in Business Promoting U.S. Agricultural Products http://wewantorganicfood.com/2007/06/30/definition-of-organic-food-takes-a-hit/#comment-9554 USDA in Business Promoting U.S. Agricultural Products Sat, 20 Feb 2010 12:12:56 +0000 http://wewantorganicfood.com/2007/06/30/definition-of-organic-food-takes-a-hit/#comment-9554 [...] the global market for organic food and drink reached $23 billion, partly in response to the USDA's relaxation of national organic standards. Thirty-nine percent of the U.S. population uses organic products --- but, according to New [...] [...] the global market for organic food and drink reached $23 billion, partly in response to the USDA's relaxation of national organic standards. Thirty-nine percent of the U.S. population uses organic products — but, according to New [...]

]]> By: Organic Recipes http://wewantorganicfood.com/2007/06/30/definition-of-organic-food-takes-a-hit/#comment-9518 Organic Recipes Sat, 20 Feb 2010 11:56:05 +0000 http://wewantorganicfood.com/2007/06/30/definition-of-organic-food-takes-a-hit/#comment-9518 [...] designation, which determines the particular labels that can be used on organic food. See our Definition of Organic Food takes a hit. Send to a [...] [...] designation, which determines the particular labels that can be used on organic food. See our Definition of Organic Food takes a hit. Send to a [...]

]]> By: Where to buy organic food http://wewantorganicfood.com/2007/06/30/definition-of-organic-food-takes-a-hit/#comment-9512 Where to buy organic food Sat, 20 Feb 2010 11:53:25 +0000 http://wewantorganicfood.com/2007/06/30/definition-of-organic-food-takes-a-hit/#comment-9512 [...] Even if you want only organic food, there may not be an organic market near you, or your local organic market may have a limited selection or --- as is sometimes the case with organic markets --- everything available at your organic market may not be "100% organic". Unfortunately, "100% organic" is not just something to put on a label; it's the USDA's top designation for organic products, and everything labeled "organic" but not "100% organic" denotes a lower percentage of organic content. (See our organic label chart.) [...] [...] Even if you want only organic food, there may not be an organic market near you, or your local organic market may have a limited selection or — as is sometimes the case with organic markets — everything available at your organic market may not be "100% organic". Unfortunately, "100% organic" is not just something to put on a label; it's the USDA's top designation for organic products, and everything labeled "organic" but not "100% organic" denotes a lower percentage of organic content. (See our organic label chart.) [...]

]]> By: Russell Stover has organic chocolate …! http://wewantorganicfood.com/2007/06/30/definition-of-organic-food-takes-a-hit/#comment-9493 Russell Stover has organic chocolate …! Sat, 20 Feb 2010 11:45:42 +0000 http://wewantorganicfood.com/2007/06/30/definition-of-organic-food-takes-a-hit/#comment-9493 [...] doesn't mean what we may think it does (kind of like the word "natural"). See our article, Definition of Organic Food takes a hit (it's a fast [...] [...] doesn't mean what we may think it does (kind of like the word "natural"). See our article, Definition of Organic Food takes a hit (it's a fast [...]

]]> By: Who Buys Organic – wrong! http://wewantorganicfood.com/2007/06/30/definition-of-organic-food-takes-a-hit/#comment-9492 Who Buys Organic – wrong! Sat, 20 Feb 2010 11:45:08 +0000 http://wewantorganicfood.com/2007/06/30/definition-of-organic-food-takes-a-hit/#comment-9492 [...] as much pesticides as conventional food. Or, just perchance, could he actually be unaware of the USDA standards for 100% organic food? In which case, why argue anything at all? Send to a [...] [...] as much pesticides as conventional food. Or, just perchance, could he actually be unaware of the USDA standards for 100% organic food? In which case, why argue anything at all? Send to a [...]

]]> By: Diane Vigil http://wewantorganicfood.com/2007/06/30/definition-of-organic-food-takes-a-hit/#comment-9156 Diane Vigil Wed, 30 Dec 2009 07:52:47 +0000 http://wewantorganicfood.com/2007/06/30/definition-of-organic-food-takes-a-hit/#comment-9156 Well, I know what you mean. Unless one was keeping up with this stuff, how is anyone to know that: <ul> <li>only "100% organic" means what we think "organic" means</li> <li>"made with organic ingredients" means that only <i>some</i> ingredients are organic</li> <li>and labeled "organic" --- worse yet --- means 95% organically-produced ingredients ... but that can include a list of toxic ingredients!</li> </ul> This is quite preposterous, and I don't blame anyone for concluding that the USDA/FDA is not doing its job, and that the reasons for that are questionable. Our solution, given that this has been going on for years, and that there's a lot of "push" to convince us that conventionally produced (that is, un-organic) products are okay because (as I've heard) the level of toxins "won't hurt you" ... well, our solution is to shop where we can find nutritious food, and to raise some of our own. That's what this blog is about. Yes, it's extra work compared to snatching things off the grocery shelves, and it costs more in many cases, but I was quite taken by something I read the other week ... that prices for conventionally-produced food were "artificially low". Now, that's something I can "sink my teeth into" as it were ... that we're paying what would be the normal price for food, and that anyone buying conventionally produced food may very likely be getting defective food ... at a lower price. So ... ya pays for what ya get. Well, I know what you mean.

Unless one was keeping up with this stuff, how is anyone to know that:

  • only "100% organic" means what we think "organic" means
  • "made with organic ingredients" means that only some ingredients are organic
  • and labeled "organic" — worse yet — means 95% organically-produced ingredients … but that can include a list of toxic ingredients!

This is quite preposterous, and I don't blame anyone for concluding that the USDA/FDA is not doing its job, and that the reasons for that are questionable.

Our solution, given that this has been going on for years, and that there's a lot of "push" to convince us that conventionally produced (that is, un-organic) products are okay because (as I've heard) the level of toxins "won't hurt you" … well, our solution is to shop where we can find nutritious food, and to raise some of our own. That's what this blog is about.

Yes, it's extra work compared to snatching things off the grocery shelves, and it costs more in many cases, but I was quite taken by something I read the other week … that prices for conventionally-produced food were "artificially low".

Now, that's something I can "sink my teeth into" as it were … that we're paying what would be the normal price for food, and that anyone buying conventionally produced food may very likely be getting defective food … at a lower price.

So … ya pays for what ya get.

]]> By: s mailen http://wewantorganicfood.com/2007/06/30/definition-of-organic-food-takes-a-hit/#comment-9153 s mailen Tue, 29 Dec 2009 22:40:57 +0000 http://wewantorganicfood.com/2007/06/30/definition-of-organic-food-takes-a-hit/#comment-9153 Once again, we are expected to endure the federal government's penchant for being 'swayed' by business interests. We can't rely on the goverment using true science or quality standards. This should be more than enough for people to band together and bypass the government and its non-rational proclivities. No one should be expected to sacrifice his personal standards (or health) on the altar of undeserved profits or via the efforts of elected non-leaders who should be forced to eat nothing but MREs. No doubt, elected officials who rely on lobbies to 'sway' them use these funds for re-election and personal purposes. Without a series of lawsuits on a scale that exceeds the tobacco debacle, we have no chance to expect to get or remain healthy. Probably, only those who grow their own food can expect to bypass an illogical and citizenry-wasting government. The government's actions show it to be utterly untrustworthy and deserving of whatever it takes to get their attention and motivate them to focus on being accountable on a daily basis. This is America. This is not a social engineering experiment via concentration camp methods. Once again, we are expected to endure the federal government's penchant for being 'swayed' by business interests. We can't rely on the goverment using true science or quality standards.
This should be more than enough for people to band together and bypass the government and its non-rational proclivities. No one should be expected to sacrifice his personal standards (or health) on the altar of undeserved profits or via the efforts of elected non-leaders who should be forced to eat nothing but MREs.
No doubt, elected officials who rely on lobbies to 'sway' them use these funds for re-election and personal purposes. Without a series of lawsuits on a scale that exceeds the tobacco debacle, we have no chance to expect to get or remain healthy.
Probably, only those who grow their own food can expect to bypass an illogical and citizenry-wasting government. The government's actions show it to be utterly untrustworthy and deserving of whatever it takes to get their attention and motivate them to focus on being accountable on a daily basis.
This is America. This is not a social engineering experiment via concentration camp methods.

]]> By: erik http://wewantorganicfood.com/2007/06/30/definition-of-organic-food-takes-a-hit/#comment-5042 erik Sat, 06 Dec 2008 02:05:42 +0000 http://wewantorganicfood.com/2007/06/30/definition-of-organic-food-takes-a-hit/#comment-5042 I would just say that you can buy 100% organic food direct from farmers(farmers markets for one), you just need to do a little more research and then start by calling the farms, the problem is they won't care too much about the 100$ you have because that means very little to them, but I guarantee if you got together with a few people and agreed to buy X amount of food for X price from the farmer each 1-2 weeks you could surely strike a deal. There are farms in Santa cruz that sell only to a single restaurant, why could this not be possible for a co-op etc. The answers are out there, and now that people are mobilized things need to be organized and progress needs to set it's course straight again. Best of luck, and count me in if you're organizing! I grow a lot of my own food at home already but it wouldn't hurt to have more. I would just say that you can buy 100% organic food direct from farmers(farmers markets for one), you just need to do a little more research and then start by calling the farms, the problem is they won't care too much about the 100$ you have because that means very little to them, but I guarantee if you got together with a few people and agreed to buy X amount of food for X price from the farmer each 1-2 weeks you could surely strike a deal. There are farms in Santa cruz that sell only to a single restaurant, why could this not be possible for a co-op etc. The answers are out there, and now that people are mobilized things need to be organized and progress needs to set it's course straight again.

Best of luck, and count me in if you're organizing! I grow a lot of my own food at home already but it wouldn't hurt to have more.

]]> By: Diane Vigil http://wewantorganicfood.com/2007/06/30/definition-of-organic-food-takes-a-hit/#comment-123 Diane Vigil Thu, 20 Sep 2007 21:53:21 +0000 http://wewantorganicfood.com/2007/06/30/definition-of-organic-food-takes-a-hit/#comment-123 Hi Miriam! I quite agree. We've been visiting our <a href="http://wewantorganicfood.com/2007/07/23/valencia-california-farmers-market-update/">local Farmers' Market</a> and finding, sometimes, organic food there. Nothing like a huge table of avocados, I always say. :) I do take the point about farmers being paid the least. I'm hoping that (what seems to be) the grass roots move to organic foods ensures that they're paid more for what they do --- and that more farmers make the move to producing organic food. Thing is, I'm pretty sure that food only got cheaper with the advent of pesticides, herbicides, whatever-icides and factory farming, which gives you food not so much worth eating. I suspect that what organic food costs now --- given any middlemen, of course --- is what good, clean food would have cost anyway. Hi Miriam! I quite agree. We've been visiting our local Farmers' Market and finding, sometimes, organic food there. Nothing like a huge table of avocados, I always say. :)

I do take the point about farmers being paid the least. I'm hoping that (what seems to be) the grass roots move to organic foods ensures that they're paid more for what they do — and that more farmers make the move to producing organic food.

Thing is, I'm pretty sure that food only got cheaper with the advent of pesticides, herbicides, whatever-icides and factory farming, which gives you food not so much worth eating. I suspect that what organic food costs now — given any middlemen, of course — is what good, clean food would have cost anyway.

]]> By: Miriam http://wewantorganicfood.com/2007/06/30/definition-of-organic-food-takes-a-hit/#comment-122 Miriam Thu, 20 Sep 2007 21:47:28 +0000 http://wewantorganicfood.com/2007/06/30/definition-of-organic-food-takes-a-hit/#comment-122 Hi Diane, Hopefully you won't get this comment twice. I timed out the first time around. Please, give my congratulations to your husband on this good and important article. WE WANT ORGANIC FOOD! Yes, we do, and buying from the small farmer is the smartest suggestion in this post. If this happens, it will give the American small farmer his job back, after it being stolen from him by the factory farms which sprang up after WWII. Teachers and farmers are our nation's greatest treasures. They inform us and feed us. Yet, they are paid the least and respected the least. It's not right. Our dollar can change that. I sincerely believe in this. Thank you for the opportunity of reading this important post. Miriam Hi Diane,
Hopefully you won't get this comment twice. I timed out the first time around.

Please, give my congratulations to your husband on this good and important article. WE WANT ORGANIC FOOD!

Yes, we do, and buying from the small farmer is the smartest suggestion in this post. If this happens, it will give the American small farmer his job back, after it being stolen from him by the factory farms which sprang up after WWII. Teachers and farmers are our nation's greatest treasures. They inform us and feed us. Yet, they are paid the least and respected the least. It's not right. Our dollar can change that. I sincerely believe in this.

Thank you for the opportunity of reading this important post.
Miriam

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