Organic Food

 According to the Environmental Protection Agency, “organically grown food is food grown and processed using no synthetic fertilizers or pesticides. Pesticides derived from natural sources (e.g., biological pesticides) may also be used in producing organically grown food. Increasingly, some consumers are purchasing organically grown and processed foods as a way to reduce their exposure to synthetic pesticides and fertilizers.”

According to the Organic Trade Association, “many EPA-approved pesticides were registered long before extensive research linked these chemicals to cancer and other diseases. Now, the EPA considers 60% of all herbicides (weed killers), 90% of all fungicides (mold killers), and 30% of all insecticides (insect killers) as potentially cancer causing. Organic farming keeps harmful chemicals and pesticides out of the food we eat and beverages we drink. It also prohibits the use of antibiotics in animal feed, which are routinely used in conventional farming and is known to create dangerous antibiotic-resistant pathogens. Organic farms also benefit the farm workers who have high exposure to chemicals and synthetic pesticides. Organic farming reduces toxic farming runoff and pollutants that contaminate our water, soil and air.”

Organic products are required to meet high standards of production. Check to see if the product you are considering has been certified organic.

Last summer, I joined an organic farm food share. At the beginning of the season, I paid my membership. Then, once a week I go and pick up that week's bounty. If it is a good growing season, I get way more than my money's worth. If the weather does not cooperate, I get less and the farmer still gets paid for the hard work. The risk is shared. And I must say, the quality of the food is something. Delicious. I plan to be a lifetime member.

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