The Organic Arena

Posted on 13. Jul, 2009 by The Active Organic in Musings

So I have read a few articles and heard some discussion on the purity or effectiveness of the “Organic” label and the USDA program backing it. I thought I would give my two cents on the matter.

The Rub
Basically there are those questioning the program and those supporting it. I do believe there also is some gray area in between. Here are two articles for your perusing; The Washington Post – ‘Purity of Federal ‘Organic’ Label Is Questioned’ and an article by Sustainable Table – ‘Unraveling Organic’, both articles seem to highlight the programs misgivings as well as the issues involved with trying to keep the organic name pure while helping the industry grow.

There are many faces in this arena; the USDA, law-makers, major corporations, small businesses, large farmers, small farmers, distributors, salespeople and consumers. All of which have their own agendas be it of value or not. Ultimately the “industry” is a bunch of businesses that need to profit to survive. This is where you will find compromise, lobbying, bureaucracy and maybe even some rogue decision making.

I see the organic arena having two sides; growing and production.

• Growing would entail the practices and techniques with farming products/ingredients
• Production would entail the development, production, packaging and distribution of products

Each has it’s own set of benefits and problems. As a consumer my goal is not necessarily to decipher and debate all these issues but rather to be an organic detective or ”food detective”, as my health counselor puts it. I want to be educated and make sure I know who I am buying my products from and understand their process and ingredients so I can make the best decision for my family and I.

The Bright Side
There are many examples of good businesses out there who are genuinely interested in consumer health, sustainability and humane treatment of animals. You have to dig a bit but they are out there. To me this is where it all starts for us consumers.

Obviously we as individuals do not have the money or backing to compete with large corporations and lobbyists, but we can definitely lobby our local governments. We also need to stay educated on the issues, keep informed and talk to family/friends about the issues.

However, the biggest impact we can make on the industry and our health is to choose to spend our dollars with the companies that lead by example and who operate by the values that we live by. This is the most effective way to support the growers, producers and companies that are truly interested in our health and our planet. And I do believe this can be achieved while making a profit too.

In Conclusion
As a consumer it can get quite confusing muddling through all the information out there. Just know that taking small steps will help alleviate what otherwise could be a daunting task, start small and work your way up. This site is meant to be a starting point or reference point for that journey.

For me an easy place to start has been with simple daily foods. Fruits, veggies, greens, bread and dairy. I make it a point to buy locally as much as possible. During spring/summer/fall there are lots and lots of farmers markets, CSA’s, local bread makers and local dairy’s that I have chatted with and researched. Get to know your local growers and ask lots of questions, most of them have a true passion for their trade and that is evident in their products.

Another great option would be to start your own organic garden at home or start with a few vegetables and herbs that you can grow on the patio or balcony, this is a great way to incorporate fresh, organic foods into your diet.

Branching out from here will be a learning experience and adventure for all involved. It will make you more aware and educated on what you are putting in your body. Look for those companies that align with the values you hold and you should be on a good path to a more sustainable and healthy life.

Also check back here often as I chronicle my adventure through this same maze, hopefully providing you all with some helpful tips and suggestions. And please, please share your ideas or experiences with the community here.