Growing demand for organic foods being fed by imports
Even though tough economic times have cooled the explosive growth of organic sales somewhat, demand for organic foods is still on the rise. That seems like it would be a good thing for all concerned--eaters, farmers, and the environment.
The problem is that American organic producers are finding it difficult to keep up. (Details here.) As a result, we're relying more and more on imported foods to meet the demand for organics--and this may not be such a good thing. Locally-grown food is fresher, and therefore, often more nutritious. Importing food from abroad also increases the amount of fossil fuels used to transport and store food and sends jobs and dollars overseas.
Is local is the new organic?
When forced to choose between local and organic, an increasing number of consumers are choosing local--or paying a premium for foods that are both. In an ideal world, we wouldn't be forced to choose. Consumers have made it clear that both are a priority. Now, it's a matter of American growers and producers catching (and keeping) up with the growing demand.
Although there may be some speed-bumps on the road, it still seems like overall, we're headed in the right direction. Your thoughts?
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Posted by: Dana Eugene Creasy | Aug 10, 2009 9:20:23 PM
This year, in Pennsylvania and its border states, Late Potato Blight, a fungus that is spread via airborne spores, has attacked most of the potato and tomato crops, particularly those grown organically. The sole means of preventing destruction is a fungicide, which organic gardeners and farmers don't use. Much of the diseased stock was traced by the USDA to imported plant stock and has also shown up in grocery store tomatoes in Pennsylvania, according to the state's Department of Agriculture.
The choice, therefore, is not between local or organic, but between diseased and non-diseased. While fruits of diseased plants are normally safe to eat - but not to can - those exhibiting signs of rot are not.
Also, plants that are diseased must never be composted as it can spread the spores to the next year.
Monica's Response: I was interested to see this editorial in the Sunday New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/09/opinion/09barber.html
Apparently, the explosion of home gardening has contributed to this year's epic blight.
Posted by: Jer | Aug 10, 2009 6:05:12 PM
Don't forget -- don't take your organic food home and then heat it and cook the goodness out of it -- fruits & vegs should be eaten "as is", i.e., as they are found growing on plants. In the same condition. DON'T put toxins in your body, and cooking MAKES just about anything 100% "toxic" (the individual cells cannot recognize the substances once cooked, denatured, etc.). And keep smilin' !
Posted by: Kinley | Jun 29, 2009 9:55:39 PM
First of all, maximize your "greeness" with the money you have; that's just common sense. If you can afford both local and organic, even better. But remember that you vote with your wallet.
Even if you buy organic food that has been transported a long way, you are supporting farmers that don't stuff the earth with every kind of pesticide known to man.
So really you're deciding which kind of pollution you want: air from transportation or soil/water from pesticides...that is unless you are lucky enough to avoid both.
The real question that needs to be asked and answered is: why are the American organic farmers unable to keep up while foreign farmers keep up just fine?
Correct me if I am wrong, but if big business agriculture created and sustained by government subsidies had never been created then small farmers would reign supreme. These small scale farmers would have a much easier time transitioning to organic agriculture simply because they have less that needs transitioning. Versus a massive farm which would have more to transition while wearing the leash of the corporate world. If the first was true then more farmers could choose to find a niche in the growing organic market.
Posted by: Angela | Jun 28, 2009 8:49:16 PM
For more on WHY to buy local and/or organic produce and meats, I highly recommend going to see Food Inc! It reminded me of why spending that extra couple of dollars on my grocery trips is crucial to support our health and our local farmers.
Posted by: Caramia Cline | Jun 26, 2009 8:13:04 PM
More people are growing their own organic foods, and in small space in containers. Even if you buy organic food at the grocery store, and friend of mine quick a major supermarket. Because they were spraying all the veggies and fruits including the orgnaic with formaldehyde. So why bother buying organic when it's poisoned. It's easy to grow sprouts and many veggies indoors too during the winter in very cold snowy climates. I do...and it's cheap if you install solar small solar panels to fun your grow lights. Where there is a will, that means your will, you can find a way to each real organic food. Stay healthy.
Posted by: Steve | Jun 25, 2009 7:44:25 PM
I think that just choosing a product on the level of local or organic is a start. I find that at this level product information it is too easy for consumers to be misslead. For example we have a company here that uses the name of my province in the company name. I know of many people who purchase these products thinking they are sourced locally when infact it may have been imported.
I happen to work for a grocery store, just as a clerk, while I study nutrition. When helping someone choose a product I don't ask whether someone would like a local or organic product. I ask about how the food fits into their life. It is my attempt to reach a deeper level of thought than what producers and stores are willing to feed us.
Another interesting point I am pondering is the quality of food. Do I choose a local food that is inheritantly less nutritious than the same food that is imported. Some foods just grow best in some parts or only in some parts of the world. I think those of us that are lucky to live in an area where we can have local food all year round have trouble grasping this. I sometimes consider that a food distribution model has to be global. If grain grows well and efficiently here in the prarries then should countries that do not have ideal climates for grain concentrate on other crops and import grain. Does this create an over all globelly less impactful way of feeding people.
So I think making a choice between local or organic should cross our mind when we are confronted with the limited selection in our local grocery store. I think it might be the wrong way at looking how to feed people though.
Posted by: Brenda | Jun 9, 2009 11:55:23 AM
Buying organic is the only way to avoid GM foods. I buy local organic when I can, but buy organic to avoid GM foods.
Posted by: Jordan | Jun 8, 2009 8:53:52 PM
What it's going to take is subsidies from the government shifting around to enforce local, healthy food rather than the corn and red meat from different time zones that get the funding now. I'm hoping that our new President can follow through on his promises and deliver at least that. Health care needs it, and the economy needs it, and if we don't get it soon on this wave of right thinking, we're going to lose the option to choose.
Posted by: TeaHag | Jun 8, 2009 2:39:36 PM
It's strange that the whole "green movement" hasn't really made us step back and think about how we eat. We do things like import organic food and still consume large amounts of meat, when both are harmful to the environment. All this, despite the fact that eating local is probably one of the few things that people of lower incomes can do to join in on the consumerist green movement (which is imperfect as it is). You might not be able to afford a Prius, or a low-flow shower head, or any other energy-saving devices, but eating local can be cheap.
