| What is the organic movement all about? A couple of | | | | chemicals to make the animals grow more quickly and |
| things, namely health and environment. First, it is a | | | | become larger than normal, which means more meat |
| reaction to decades of corporate farming companies | | | | and an earlier market date. These compounds stay in |
| growing crops with chemicals and pesticides, possibly | | | | the meat, and are then ingested by consumers. |
| to the detriment of our health. | | | | Organic meats do not contain these same chemical |
| Organic proponents also point out that there are | | | | additives. Also, a consumer who is worried about |
| environmental and economic benefits. Often if you | | | | humane treatment of animals can take heart in the |
| buy organic you are buying local. Supporting local | | | | fact that organic meat comes from animals who |
| farmers keeps your grocery dollar in the local | | | | must be allowed to go outside at least once per day. |
| economy. When you buy local produce, instead of | | | | 2. Coffee: Both the designation of organic and 'Fair |
| produce from a grocery which may have been | | | | Trade' is important with coffee. When you purchase |
| shipped from another country even, you also | | | | fair trade coffee, you are getting coffee that has |
| conserve fuel. Bringing a load of grapes to market | | | | been grown and harvested without the exploitation |
| from a local farm requires a truck to drive a few | | | | of workers. The workers who grew and harvested |
| miles perhaps. Importing a load of grapes from Chile, | | | | your fair trade coffee have been paid fair wages. |
| by contrast, can mean a shipment that must come | | | | 3. Some fruits: Peaches are a definite must-buy when |
| across the sea by boat or plane, then be trucked | | | | it comes to items you should buy organic. Peaches |
| from the airport to different distribution centers, and | | | | have a soft pulpy flesh that holds chemicals, and a |
| so on. | | | | thin skin that allows the fertilizers and chemicals used |
| All of these are noble ideals. Still, not all products are | | | | in growing to penetrate down into the flesh. The |
| affected by being organic. Some products are | | | | Environmental Working Group's list of which foods |
| protected by a thick skin so that pesticides and | | | | have a high concentration of chemicals in them lists |
| chemicals don't leach into the edible part. Others | | | | peaches as the worst offender. |
| simply don't take on that much of the products used | | | | Other fruits that tend to contain pesticides and |
| in growing them. | | | | chemicals, and so should be purchased organic, are |
| You want to buy the following products organic if | | | | apples, grapes, strawberries, and cherries. Consider |
| possible: | | | | purchasing organic wine as well, since pesticides in |
| 1. Meat: Factory farms make heavy use of antibiotics | | | | grapes don't magically disappear when the grapes are |
| to stave off infections in animals. They also use | | | | fermented. |