Post by Janene on Jun 27, 2007 22:50:27 GMT -5
Here's another obvious reason to buy local VS. organic:
(For those of you who do farmers' markets, etc.--some of this info would be good to put on phamplets or handouts you give to folks!)
If any of you remember Pat's interview on the radio, and the other gal that was being interviewed kept yapping about "buy certified organic"---buying local makes much more sense!! (No, I don't have a problem with certified organic....but if it is shipped hundreds/thousands of miles, and I can get the same thing locally, knowing its organic--but not 'certified' organic....well, you get the point! I grow organically, but am not certified!) Besides, too many big-name companies are turning organic products into 'factory farms' without chemicals....they just make it look good/sound good to the general public....who takes the bait--hook, line and sinker!!
Now, if you are local AND organic--well, that's even better yet!!
I got this off of Dr. Mercola's website.....
Janene
Why You're Better Off Buying Local Than Organic
POSTED BY Dr. Mercola
June 07, 2007
A new study has determined that transportation of organic produce causes an environmental impact large enough to cancel out any benefits.
Researchers at the University of Alberta in Canada collected shipping data on organic produce from six grocery stores.
They found that most of the fruit and vegetables had been trucked in, and that organic produce tended to come from farther away than conventional produce.
Organic mangoes, for example, were shipped from Ecuador and Peru, whereas conventional mangoes tended to come from Mexico.
The researchers calculated that the annual environmental cost for a city the size of Edmonton for transporting organic produce was as high as $175,000 Canadian, only slightly less than $183,000 Canadian for conventional produce.
Organic Consumers Association June 6, 2007
____________________________________________________
Dr. Mercola's Comment:
The headline might have surprised you but it is indeed true. Buying local is becoming the new organic, because far less fuel is wasted in transporting it to you, but more importantly, it is nearly always fresher, which means it is far healthier for you.
The above study from Canada confirms this because most organic foods tend to travel farther and the extra fuel has a negative impact on the environment.
Of course, this completely contradicts the philosophy behind organic foods, which is to grow food in a sustainable, healthy and earth-friendly manner.
So the idea that organic produce is always better for the environment or your health is somewhat of a ruse, particularly if your organic produce is being grown in another country.
As always, the best produce options for you are the in-season varieties that are grown locally (and many of them will likely also be organic). They're fresher, do not waste fuel being transported to you, and they taste like real, home-grown produce should: delicious!
Two good ways to find local food are visiting farmers' markets and using Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs in your area.
(For those of you who do farmers' markets, etc.--some of this info would be good to put on phamplets or handouts you give to folks!)
If any of you remember Pat's interview on the radio, and the other gal that was being interviewed kept yapping about "buy certified organic"---buying local makes much more sense!! (No, I don't have a problem with certified organic....but if it is shipped hundreds/thousands of miles, and I can get the same thing locally, knowing its organic--but not 'certified' organic....well, you get the point! I grow organically, but am not certified!) Besides, too many big-name companies are turning organic products into 'factory farms' without chemicals....they just make it look good/sound good to the general public....who takes the bait--hook, line and sinker!!
Now, if you are local AND organic--well, that's even better yet!!
I got this off of Dr. Mercola's website.....
Janene
Why You're Better Off Buying Local Than Organic
POSTED BY Dr. Mercola
June 07, 2007
A new study has determined that transportation of organic produce causes an environmental impact large enough to cancel out any benefits.
Researchers at the University of Alberta in Canada collected shipping data on organic produce from six grocery stores.
They found that most of the fruit and vegetables had been trucked in, and that organic produce tended to come from farther away than conventional produce.
Organic mangoes, for example, were shipped from Ecuador and Peru, whereas conventional mangoes tended to come from Mexico.
The researchers calculated that the annual environmental cost for a city the size of Edmonton for transporting organic produce was as high as $175,000 Canadian, only slightly less than $183,000 Canadian for conventional produce.
Organic Consumers Association June 6, 2007
____________________________________________________
Dr. Mercola's Comment:
The headline might have surprised you but it is indeed true. Buying local is becoming the new organic, because far less fuel is wasted in transporting it to you, but more importantly, it is nearly always fresher, which means it is far healthier for you.
The above study from Canada confirms this because most organic foods tend to travel farther and the extra fuel has a negative impact on the environment.
Of course, this completely contradicts the philosophy behind organic foods, which is to grow food in a sustainable, healthy and earth-friendly manner.
So the idea that organic produce is always better for the environment or your health is somewhat of a ruse, particularly if your organic produce is being grown in another country.
As always, the best produce options for you are the in-season varieties that are grown locally (and many of them will likely also be organic). They're fresher, do not waste fuel being transported to you, and they taste like real, home-grown produce should: delicious!
Two good ways to find local food are visiting farmers' markets and using Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs in your area.
