Here marks the beginning of our journey…
What does organic mean?
Matter that is living or was once living; grown or raised without synthetic fertilizers, pesticides or hormones; a product composed of ingredients grown or raised in this way. Foods certified as organic by the state in which they were produced or the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) have met strict regulations.
-http://www.pbs.org/strangedays/glossary/O.html
Buzz Words:
Local
www.localharvest.org/ suggests that when buying organic foods, it’s always best to buy close to home.
Why: The time span between the food being picked and delivered to your local supermarket can be substantial, large scale food systems have limited sustainability, and it's important to support your community by purchasing food from your local businesses.
Natural Farming
A philosophy that respects both nature and the animals being raised to grace dinner tables one day. Some argue that natural farming is more sustainable than factory farming, because it doesn’t rely so heavily on one or two crops to feed the livestock. For example, don’t put all of your eggs in one basket.
-“We do not raise food, we raise animals.” – Carla Growney
-http://www.njgrassfedfoods.com/
Certified Organic
There are many organizations worldwide that certify produce as being grown in a manner that does not harm the environment and that preserves or improves soil fertility, soil structure, and farm sustainability. Farms that are certified organic are shown as such in Local Harvest.
-http://www.localharvest.org/organic.jsp
Grass Fed/Pastured
Grass fed, or pastured, animals are raised on pasture, as opposed to being kept in the confinement and fed primarily grains. Pasturing livestock and poultry is the traditional method of raising farm animals, is ecologically sustainable, humane, and produces the most nutritious meat, dairy, and eggs.
-http://www.localharvest.org/organic.jsp
Conventional
Conventional farming does not necessarily have to be as destructive as large scale chemical agriculture. There are many small farms worldwide that sparingly use chemicals when needed, and that otherwise follow good guidelines in the care of their environments and communities.
-http://Localharvest.org/organic.jsp
Factory Farming
A farm in which animals are bred and fattened using modern industrial methods.
-Dictionary.com
Most would argue that this definition isn’t broad enough, because there is no mention of the inhumane conditions the animals suffer through prior to being processed.
We begin with the eggs.
Let’s check out the selections available to us…
What does organic mean?
Matter that is living or was once living; grown or raised without synthetic fertilizers, pesticides or hormones; a product composed of ingredients grown or raised in this way. Foods certified as organic by the state in which they were produced or the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) have met strict regulations.
-http://www.pbs.org/strangedays/glossary/O.html
Buzz Words:
Local
www.localharvest.org/ suggests that when buying organic foods, it’s always best to buy close to home.
Why: The time span between the food being picked and delivered to your local supermarket can be substantial, large scale food systems have limited sustainability, and it's important to support your community by purchasing food from your local businesses.
Natural Farming
A philosophy that respects both nature and the animals being raised to grace dinner tables one day. Some argue that natural farming is more sustainable than factory farming, because it doesn’t rely so heavily on one or two crops to feed the livestock. For example, don’t put all of your eggs in one basket.
-“We do not raise food, we raise animals.” – Carla Growney
-http://www.njgrassfedfoods.com/
Certified Organic
There are many organizations worldwide that certify produce as being grown in a manner that does not harm the environment and that preserves or improves soil fertility, soil structure, and farm sustainability. Farms that are certified organic are shown as such in Local Harvest.
-http://www.localharvest.org/organic.jsp
Grass Fed/Pastured
Grass fed, or pastured, animals are raised on pasture, as opposed to being kept in the confinement and fed primarily grains. Pasturing livestock and poultry is the traditional method of raising farm animals, is ecologically sustainable, humane, and produces the most nutritious meat, dairy, and eggs.
-http://www.localharvest.org/organic.jsp
Conventional
Conventional farming does not necessarily have to be as destructive as large scale chemical agriculture. There are many small farms worldwide that sparingly use chemicals when needed, and that otherwise follow good guidelines in the care of their environments and communities.
-http://Localharvest.org/organic.jsp
Factory Farming
A farm in which animals are bred and fattened using modern industrial methods.
-Dictionary.com
Most would argue that this definition isn’t broad enough, because there is no mention of the inhumane conditions the animals suffer through prior to being processed.
We begin with the eggs.
Let’s check out the selections available to us…
The final egg tally:
Shop Rite vs. Whole Foods vs. 7th Heaven Farm (prices per dozen)
-Shop Rite: Cage free brown eggs-$3.79
Egglands Best white eggs-$2.99
Natural brown eggs-$3.19
Certified organic brown eggs-$4.29
Shop Rite brand white eggs-$2.09
-Whole Foods: Organic Valley brown eggs-$4.19
Pasture raised, ethical brown eggs-$5.99
Organic Whole Foods brand eggs-$3.79
Cage free brown eggs-$2.99
-7th Heaven: Extra jumbo thru extra large eggs-$5/Doz
Large thru small eggs-$3/Doz or 3 dozen for $10.00
Shop Rite vs. Whole Foods vs. 7th Heaven Farm (prices per dozen)
-Shop Rite: Cage free brown eggs-$3.79
Egglands Best white eggs-$2.99
Natural brown eggs-$3.19
Certified organic brown eggs-$4.29
Shop Rite brand white eggs-$2.09
-Whole Foods: Organic Valley brown eggs-$4.19
Pasture raised, ethical brown eggs-$5.99
Organic Whole Foods brand eggs-$3.79
Cage free brown eggs-$2.99
-7th Heaven: Extra jumbo thru extra large eggs-$5/Doz
Large thru small eggs-$3/Doz or 3 dozen for $10.00
Chicken, it’s what’s for dinner
In order to make our project more meaningful to consumers who don’t just eat eggs; Sharon and I planned a dinner. We used a roaster chicken, russet potatoes and brussel sprouts.
In order to make our project more meaningful to consumers who don’t just eat eggs; Sharon and I planned a dinner. We used a roaster chicken, russet potatoes and brussel sprouts.
Shop Rite vs. Whole Foods-Chicken Dinner Style
Shop Rite: Readington Farms Roaster-4.73 lbs $8.94
Perdue Roaster-4.74 lbs $4.50
Russet potatoes-5 lbs $1.49
Brussel sprouts-$2.99
Whole Foods: Organic whole chicken-3.41 lbs $9.17
Fresh air chilled chicken-3.86 lbs $7.68
Organic russet potatoes-5lbs $4.99
Conventional brussel sprouts (couldn’t find organic) $2.50
7th Heaven: *Out of poultry for 2010. This includes turkey! Check back in late
winter/early spring for 2011 chicken and turkey orders*
Let’s add it up:
Shop Rite-Readington Farms roaster + russet potatoes + brussel sprouts=$13.42
Shop Rite-Perdue Roaster + russet potatoes + brussel sprouts=$8.98
Whole Foods-Organic roaster + organic russet potatoes + conventional brussel sprouts=$16.66
Whole Foods-Fresh air chilled roaster + organic russet potatoes + conventional brussel sprouts=$15.17
-Who is the real winner?
*Always remember, “You get what you pay for”.
Next stop on our journey
Sharon visits 7th Heaven Farm; where she was given a tour by Carla Growney. Carla is one of the owners of the farm and was more than happy to give Sharon some time for an interview for our project. Sharon got to experience an all natural farm where the animals were not only sold and/or bred, but they were also treated with love and care.
Shop Rite: Readington Farms Roaster-4.73 lbs $8.94
Perdue Roaster-4.74 lbs $4.50
Russet potatoes-5 lbs $1.49
Brussel sprouts-$2.99
Whole Foods: Organic whole chicken-3.41 lbs $9.17
Fresh air chilled chicken-3.86 lbs $7.68
Organic russet potatoes-5lbs $4.99
Conventional brussel sprouts (couldn’t find organic) $2.50
7th Heaven: *Out of poultry for 2010. This includes turkey! Check back in late
winter/early spring for 2011 chicken and turkey orders*
Let’s add it up:
Shop Rite-Readington Farms roaster + russet potatoes + brussel sprouts=$13.42
Shop Rite-Perdue Roaster + russet potatoes + brussel sprouts=$8.98
Whole Foods-Organic roaster + organic russet potatoes + conventional brussel sprouts=$16.66
Whole Foods-Fresh air chilled roaster + organic russet potatoes + conventional brussel sprouts=$15.17
-Who is the real winner?
*Always remember, “You get what you pay for”.
Next stop on our journey
Sharon visits 7th Heaven Farm; where she was given a tour by Carla Growney. Carla is one of the owners of the farm and was more than happy to give Sharon some time for an interview for our project. Sharon got to experience an all natural farm where the animals were not only sold and/or bred, but they were also treated with love and care.
Our Conclusion
Sharon’s Thoughts:
After watching Food, Inc., I couldn’t believe how little I knew about the American farming industry. I have noticed ingredients listed on “boxes” of food that I purchased previously, and wondered what the hell those big scientific words meant, but I never really thought about how the animals were treated prior to being processed, and how their treatment could affect my health as well as the health of others. I’ve lived through several E Coli and Salmonella scares announced on the nightly news, but I never really thought about how this could have happened to the food that I could be eating.
IGNORANCE IS NO EXCUSE!
Feeling the anger that Food, Inc. awoken inside of me for not questioning what is going on with our food today, especially since I love animals and hope that all animals are treated humanely, I couldn’t stop thinking about a passage in “The Pleasures of Eating”:
“The industrial eater is, in fact, one who does not know that eating is an agricultural act, who no longer knows or imagines the connections between eating and the land, and who is therefore necessarily passive and uncritical – in short, a victim.” – Wendell Berry.
After coming to grips with the notion that I had to educate myself on the food/farming industry, I became even more frustrated, because I didn’t know if I could afford to eat healthy and humanely. This concern was the driving force behind our main research question. As we began our research, more questions started to arise. How was I going to gain access to foods that are raised humanely and pasture fed? The nearest Whole Foods store for me is located in Marlton, NJ. Being that I live in Blackwood, NJ, it’s needless to say that driving to Whole Foods on a weekly basis isn’t very convenient. It is however, very “doable”. Also, was organic food bought from a large food chain the experience and product I was looking for? I wanted to support local farmers in my community, I wanted my food to be fresh, and I wanted the animals to be raised humanely, but I didn’t know if this was attainable. Will a farmer sell to just me, one not so wealthy consumer, and where are these farms and/or stores located? Our original topic for our project was, “Could the Average Consumer Afford to Buy Organic Food”, but as Kirsten and I researched organic food, I started to realize that what I was truly looking for was considered “Natural Farming”. Having the opportunity to visit Shop Rite, Whole Foods, and 7th Heaven Farm, I realized that local, natural farms that use organic practices was what I was looking for. It’s definitely more expensive (usually double the price), than shopping at a Shop Rite supermarket, but for me, it’s worth it in the end. After meeting with Carla Growney at 7th Heaven Farm, Carla made many statements that left a huge impact on me. Here are some examples, “We do not raise food, we raise animals”, and “There is a green regime that goes along with this. People who buy from me are health conscious and green in every sense of the word. These people are part of a movement, not your every day consumer.” Hearing this and figuring out what I wanted to gain from this project, I have decided that I can afford to eat healthy. I will buy in bulk, and reduce the amount of meat I eat, especially red meat which should be eaten in small quantities anyway. Although, I will be buying my meat from Whole Foods and local farms like 7th Heaven, I do realize that I can still visit the easily accessible Shop Rite as well.
Kirsten’s Thoughts:
Sharon’s Thoughts:
After watching Food, Inc., I couldn’t believe how little I knew about the American farming industry. I have noticed ingredients listed on “boxes” of food that I purchased previously, and wondered what the hell those big scientific words meant, but I never really thought about how the animals were treated prior to being processed, and how their treatment could affect my health as well as the health of others. I’ve lived through several E Coli and Salmonella scares announced on the nightly news, but I never really thought about how this could have happened to the food that I could be eating.
IGNORANCE IS NO EXCUSE!
Feeling the anger that Food, Inc. awoken inside of me for not questioning what is going on with our food today, especially since I love animals and hope that all animals are treated humanely, I couldn’t stop thinking about a passage in “The Pleasures of Eating”:
“The industrial eater is, in fact, one who does not know that eating is an agricultural act, who no longer knows or imagines the connections between eating and the land, and who is therefore necessarily passive and uncritical – in short, a victim.” – Wendell Berry.
After coming to grips with the notion that I had to educate myself on the food/farming industry, I became even more frustrated, because I didn’t know if I could afford to eat healthy and humanely. This concern was the driving force behind our main research question. As we began our research, more questions started to arise. How was I going to gain access to foods that are raised humanely and pasture fed? The nearest Whole Foods store for me is located in Marlton, NJ. Being that I live in Blackwood, NJ, it’s needless to say that driving to Whole Foods on a weekly basis isn’t very convenient. It is however, very “doable”. Also, was organic food bought from a large food chain the experience and product I was looking for? I wanted to support local farmers in my community, I wanted my food to be fresh, and I wanted the animals to be raised humanely, but I didn’t know if this was attainable. Will a farmer sell to just me, one not so wealthy consumer, and where are these farms and/or stores located? Our original topic for our project was, “Could the Average Consumer Afford to Buy Organic Food”, but as Kirsten and I researched organic food, I started to realize that what I was truly looking for was considered “Natural Farming”. Having the opportunity to visit Shop Rite, Whole Foods, and 7th Heaven Farm, I realized that local, natural farms that use organic practices was what I was looking for. It’s definitely more expensive (usually double the price), than shopping at a Shop Rite supermarket, but for me, it’s worth it in the end. After meeting with Carla Growney at 7th Heaven Farm, Carla made many statements that left a huge impact on me. Here are some examples, “We do not raise food, we raise animals”, and “There is a green regime that goes along with this. People who buy from me are health conscious and green in every sense of the word. These people are part of a movement, not your every day consumer.” Hearing this and figuring out what I wanted to gain from this project, I have decided that I can afford to eat healthy. I will buy in bulk, and reduce the amount of meat I eat, especially red meat which should be eaten in small quantities anyway. Although, I will be buying my meat from Whole Foods and local farms like 7th Heaven, I do realize that I can still visit the easily accessible Shop Rite as well.
Kirsten’s Thoughts:
Closure
After our investigation, we have decided that eating organic is worth it in the end, because even though the consumer will have to pay more at the time of purchase, the long term benefits outweigh the high prices. Some of the advantages of eating organically include: no harmful pesticides added to the food, air, land or water, long term sustainability, reduction in polluted “run off”, food is more nutritious, fresh fruits and vegetables usually have better taste, helps small family farms to exist among the few, large factory farms that control most of the food industry, keeps the science out of our food, and provides healthy habitats for living things.
We have also learned that buying organic foods from large food chains isn’t our only option when trying to eat healthy. We can deal directly with our local farmers face-to-face, and/or we can still shop at our local “traditional” supermarkets like Shop Rite. Food is freshest when we buy from our local farmers, because our food wont’ be transported across country, or even internationally. Think about it this way, if the farms living in close proximity to your home can’t grow asparagus during the winter months, maybe you shouldn’t be eating asparagus during the winter. There are plenty of local farms that have websites listing what is in season for the time of the year you’re looking for. Besides eating fresh food, when buying from local farmers, we the consumer get to see first hand how the animals are treated along with everything else that is farmed on their premises. In essence, we will be making that all important connection to our food once again and where it came from.
After our investigation, we have decided that eating organic is worth it in the end, because even though the consumer will have to pay more at the time of purchase, the long term benefits outweigh the high prices. Some of the advantages of eating organically include: no harmful pesticides added to the food, air, land or water, long term sustainability, reduction in polluted “run off”, food is more nutritious, fresh fruits and vegetables usually have better taste, helps small family farms to exist among the few, large factory farms that control most of the food industry, keeps the science out of our food, and provides healthy habitats for living things.
We have also learned that buying organic foods from large food chains isn’t our only option when trying to eat healthy. We can deal directly with our local farmers face-to-face, and/or we can still shop at our local “traditional” supermarkets like Shop Rite. Food is freshest when we buy from our local farmers, because our food wont’ be transported across country, or even internationally. Think about it this way, if the farms living in close proximity to your home can’t grow asparagus during the winter months, maybe you shouldn’t be eating asparagus during the winter. There are plenty of local farms that have websites listing what is in season for the time of the year you’re looking for. Besides eating fresh food, when buying from local farmers, we the consumer get to see first hand how the animals are treated along with everything else that is farmed on their premises. In essence, we will be making that all important connection to our food once again and where it came from.
Eating organic or natural foods isn't always easy, but it is achievable.
*If you would like to purchase food products from 7th Heaven Farm, please use this website:
http://www.njgrassfedfoods.com/index.php?pr=Home_Page
**I made roast beef with their round roast and tacos with their ground meat, and both were delicious! I will be a returning customer.
