|
|
Post by librarylady on Apr 18, 2024 15:28:36 GMT
Organic farming is the production of food without the use of synthetic chemicals or genetically modified components. Organic foods are not necessarily completely chemical free, but the pesticide residues will be considerably lower than those found in produce manufactured with synthetic chemicals.
--This is the definition given by Google.
I don't ever purchase foods labeled organic as I consider it a marketing ploy rather than fact.
My logic: unless you have owned the land for years, you have no idea what previous owners used and what might be lingering in the soil. Secondly, I personally know someone who got his produce garden certified as organic. He told my husband that if he didn't have enough vegetables for the store where he was selling, he got some vegetables from his son's garden to have enough.
I am not willing to pay more for the label when I don't trust the information.
|
|
|
|
Post by Merge on Apr 18, 2024 15:35:41 GMT
The certified organic label requires the soil to have been pesticide free for a certain number of years, so the land owner would need to be able to verify that. There are farms here that follow organic practices and can call themselves sustainable, but aren’t eligible for the organic label until they can show proof that the land has been pesticide free for a certain amount of time.
I’ve never heard of an individual with a small garden going through the USDA process to be certified organic. Is there perhaps a local, less stringent certification he received?
|
|
scrappinmama
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,883
Jun 26, 2014 12:54:09 GMT
|
Post by scrappinmama on Apr 18, 2024 15:37:26 GMT
There is a dirty dozen list that it is recommended would be best as organic. I try to buy organic strawberries, grapes and apples. But I do not buy something because it's organic. You do not need to eat all organic. Like what is the point of eating organic processed food? It's already bad for you because it's processed.
|
|
|
|
Post by gar on Apr 18, 2024 15:42:48 GMT
I would think the number of times the certification isn’t 100% accurate is hopefully pretty small. For some fruit and veg I do buy organic but there are so many other considerations (air miles travelled etc etc) that it’s not something I automatically do at all.
|
|
|
|
Post by paniolobrits on Apr 18, 2024 16:50:53 GMT
My background includes over a decade spent working with a farming organization. I agree with the original poster to some degree in that “organic” is often used as a marketing ploy to justify a higher price. It is incredibly expensive and time-consuming to become a certified organic grower. Just because something is “organic” does not make it particularly safe or great for the soil. There are heavy metals (i.e., copper) which are used but remain in the soil for a long time. And lest I forget, arsenic is also organic. I would wager that none of us want to be consuming that. Your best bet is to buy from/support a local farmer. Ask questions about their growing practices. By doing this you’re helping a community member, helping to preserve open space, and helping to provide a habitat for wildlife. It’s a win-win.
|
|
|
|
Post by Linda on Apr 18, 2024 17:30:14 GMT
I tend to see organic as a marketing ploy as well. And I won't pay extra for organic. I DO purchase a produce box weekly from a local sustainable farm - it's a mix of their farm grown produce and other seasonal produce mostly sourced relatively local (ie - from further south in the state where crops are harvestable a bit earlier)
|
|
|
|
Post by busy on Apr 18, 2024 17:33:11 GMT
I'm aware organic isn't some kind of panacea and has its own problems, but if I'm buying produce from the store, I mostly buy organic. I figure there's no downside and with the amount of produce we eat, I'd rather err on the side of caution. However, I buy the majority of our produce from local farms that aren't necessarily certified organic (it's an expensive process that isn't worth it for most farms not operating at scale), but I know the farmers and their practices.
|
|
pantsonfire
Pearl Clutcher
Take a step back, evaluate what is important, and enjoy your life with those who you love.
Posts: 4,762 
|
Post by pantsonfire on Apr 18, 2024 17:54:19 GMT
The only organic produce item I buy is leeks. Why? Because it only is sold in the organic section of my grocery store.
I buy regular produce, wash well, and happily eat it.
|
|
|
|
Post by ~summer~ on Apr 18, 2024 17:58:07 GMT
I buy almost all organic.
Why? I know there are exceptions but in general it means fewer pesticides and it’s healthier for the workers.
|
|
|
|
Post by littlemama on Apr 18, 2024 17:59:11 GMT
No to organic here as well.
Correction, the organic bananas at Costco taste better than the regular, so I do buy those if Im at Costco and in need of bananas.
|
|
breetheflea
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,918
Location: PNW
|
Post by breetheflea on Apr 18, 2024 18:55:16 GMT
The store I do 95% of my grocery shopping at, does not sell very much organic stuff... one type of potato, and herbs that I can think of...
I grow a lot of my own fruits and veggies, and don't use any chemicals on them (I hand pick off the bugs and slugs if I catch them) tomatoes, cherries, strawberries, some potatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, pumpkins, rhubarb, and peas.
|
|
quiltz
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,708
Location: CANADA
Jun 29, 2014 16:13:28 GMT
|
Post by quiltz on Apr 18, 2024 20:34:30 GMT
My background includes over a decade spent working with a farming organization. I agree with the original poster to some degree in that “organic” is often used as a marketing ploy to justify a higher price. It is incredibly expensive and time-consuming to become a certified organic grower. Just because something is “organic” does not make it particularly safe or great for the soil. There are heavy metals (i.e., copper) which are used but remain in the soil for a long time. And lest I forget, arsenic is also organic. I would wager that none of us want to be consuming that. Your best bet is to buy from/support a local farmer. Ask questions about their growing practices. By doing this you’re helping a community member, helping to preserve open space, and helping to provide a habitat for wildlife. It’s a win-win.  There are many hidden dangers in the soil and ground water that will seep into the produce that is grown. Recently there was a huge issue with melons (musk-melon) having dirt that contained Salmonella bacteria on the rough surface of the melon. Even wiping the dirt off wasn't helping as the bacteria still stuck to the textured surface. The bacteria was introduced to the fruit as the knife cut the skin and touched the fruit. Several people died due to this issue. Apparently you had to use a disinfectant and scrub the entire surface of the melon and use a clean disinfected knife for each cut. Most people with Salmonella infection have diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps. Symptoms usually begin six hours to six days after infection and last four to seven days. However, some people do not develop symptoms for several weeks after infection and others experience symptoms for several weeks. Romaine lettuce has had issues with e-coli { Escherichia coli (E. coli) are bacteria that live in human and animal intestines} as the ground water was contaminated with Salmonella. The Salmonella grew directly into the Romaine and was not detected until someone ate the lettuce and became extremely ill. It wouldn't matter if the Romaine was organically grown or not, as the ground water was contaminated by water run-off that contained small amounts of fecal matter. This contaminated soil was disturbed during the planting process and pushed further into the ground and then lect into the ground water, which in-turn, fed the plant during the growing process. Until the actual plant and the water and the soil were all tested, it was difficult to determine how the Romaine became infected. As much as I enjoy a salad made with Romaine, I will only purchase locally grown and/or greenhouse grown Romaine. |
|
|
|
Post by mom2jnk on Apr 18, 2024 23:13:28 GMT
Transitioning your land to organic production to certify your farm as Organic is a three year process. It is time consuming, expensive, and exhausting. The USDA certified Organic label means something, as opposed to those ubiquitous "all natural" or "eco-friendly" greenwashing labels you see everywhere. One does not just "get a produce garden certified as organic." I would be highly suspicious of the farmer in the situation you described. I imagine that he was not truly certified Organic, but rather incorrectly using the term "organic." A certified Organic producer who cheats the system like this would lose their certification and income. Farmers are not stupid and work very very hard for their income. Organic production is mainly concerned with protecting human health, both the workers that are in the field and the humans that consume it. But it can be employed on an industrial level, which can result in very little benefit to the environment or improvement in soil, water, or air quality. So while it is good, it is not a cure all and it won't fix all that is wrong with our current industrial agriculture system. I advise my students that no one needs to eat exclusively organic...but look to buy certified Organic produce of the Environmental Working Group (EWG) "Dirty Dozen" if possible when in the grocery store. EWG Dirty Dozen These include strawberries, grapes, spinach, peaches, pears, and apples, along with greens like kale which have been shown to have very high levels of pesticides. If you want to eat better, for your health and the health of the planet, look for small local food producers and farmers. Almost every one that I have ever met cares deeply about their land and their farming practices. If you consume, look especially for local meat and dairy as industrial meat production (beef especially) has a horrendous environmental and climate footprint. Ask your local farmers about their sustainable growing practices...every one I know loves to talk about their passion for feeding people and caring for their land. We don't all need to be vegan or vegetarians but adopting a plant rich diet, filled with locally and sustainably produced food would go a huge way to improving the health of our planet and us humans too. |
|
There are many hidden dangers in the soil and ground water that will seep into the produce that is grown. 