How to Source Food Well for the Most Nutrients – Part 1
This is the first of a 2 part series on sourcing healthy food, where I highlight :
Did you know that how your food is grown greatly impacts its nutrient content? Just because a food is labeled organic in the store does not mean it is your healthiest option. My perspective may seem biased since I run a health food co-op but the more I learned about our food systems the more shocked I was. This is what led me to start sourcing my food differently. We often spend a pretty penny on our organic food, but these organic foods don’t always give us more nutrients.
With people becoming more aware of the dangers of a processed food diet many are turning to organic food as the answer. In fact, the term organic is one of the most powerful words in the supermarket, bringing to mind storied images of pastured animals and pristine produce. Since organic labeling began in 2010, organic food has become a $26.7 billion dollar industry ($52 billion worldwide). While organic food is good, there are some things to consider when making organic grocery store purchases. Unfortunately, not all organic food is equal, and labels are often misleading. There is more than one type of organic and it is important that you know the difference.
INDUSTRIAL ORGANIC ISN’T MUCH DIFFERENT THAN CONVENTIONAL FOOD
When you think of a conventional farm you think of technology, machines, automation, perhaps some inhumane practices but you definitely don’t think of the human touch or caring. Well, many industrial organic farms aren’t that much different. They can consist of farms that produce food on a large-scale industrialized system. They too may rely on machines, added fertilizers and pesticides, and confine their animals.
ORGANIC FOOD CAN CONTAIN HARMFUL PESTICIDES
Yes, pesticides. Did you know that the USDA approves the use of 20+ synthetic chemicals while still allowing food to be labelled organic? This is still an improvement from conventional farming, which allows the use of over 900 chemicals, but it isn’t exactly pesticide free. In fact, 20% of organic lettuce in a USDA survey of produce tested positive for pesticides!
Organic pesticides can actually be more harmful. They are less effective than conventional pesticides requiring more applications. Ideally, organic farmers would use these pesticides as a last resort but some do not. The government has no tracking system for the use or volume of pesticides in organic farming. Industrial organic farmers have no vested interest in disclosing this information either. The idea that organic = no pesticides benefits them. You are at the mercy of their transparency. Yet you cannot know your grocery organic farmer and ask questions, sometimes they live across the world.
Furthermore, those beautifully packaged precut veggies you see on the grocery shelves are often preserved using noble gases, something definitely not found in nature. Without these added gases fruits and vegetables begin to decompose shortly after harvest. Food, once harvested is not meant to last days, weeks or even months. Always shop produce out of the box or bag if possible.
MOST ORGANIC FOOD IS OWNED BY CORPORATE FOOD GIANTS
Lastly, did you know that many organic companies are actually owned by corporate food giants? Up to 92% of organic brands are owned by some of the nation’s largest food processors. These companies by playing both fields, conventional and organic, show they care much more about the dollar than your health:
- Applegate, Justin’s = Hormel
- Aidell’s = Hillshire
- MaraNatha = Hain Celestial
- Annie’s Homegrown, Muir Glen, Larabar, Cascadian Farm = General Mills
- Earthbalance = Pinnacle foods
- Horizon Organic, Earthbound Farm, SO Delicious = Whitewave
- Burt’s Bees = Clorox
Did you know that you cannot even visit these farms? In some cases it is even illegal to take photographs.
RESOURCES
Omnivore’s Dilemma by Michael Pollan
Locally Sourced Food Near You: