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With all of the recent publicity about goods imported from China that contain harmful substances, I believe we need to become more concerned about what we and our families eat. If the Chinese put antifreeze in toothpaste and use lead-based paint on children’s toys, no telling what is contained in imported foods from that region. One way to ensure food safety is to buy organic foods grown in this country.
What exactly is organic?In 2002 the USDA established guidelines to ensure consumers get certified organic foods of the highest quality.
Farms that produce meat, dairy and poultry must:
Not use growth hormones
Use organic feeds
Animals must have access to the outdoors
Farms that produce organic foods before it gets to markets must be government certified. Look for the certifier's name on the package.
The following ingredients are prohibited form being used on organically grown foods:
Pesticides which “pose special risks to children because of their high metabolisms and low body weight” according to a report at www.enviormentaefense.com
Petroleum or sewage based fertilizers such as human waste.
Synthetic substances harmful to wildlife.
It has been more than 30 years since an American scientist, Ben Feingold, first suggested that artificial food colors and other additives caused overactive, impulsive and inattentive behavior in children; this sort of hyperactivity is known to be a marker for later educational difficulties, especially problems with reading, and antisocial behavior.
One of the things that makes the latest findings so significant is that the research by the University of Southampton has been so thoroughly conducted and reviewed and cannot be argued away; it is published in the medical journal The Lancet today. The study also found there was increased hyperactivity in children with no history of problems.
How to we know if it’s organic? Foods that bear the USDA Organic seal must be at least 95% organic.
Foods with only one ingredient such as fresh fruits or vegetables may have a smaller “organic” seal.
If a food product is labeled “natural” it does not necessarily mean that it is organic. Use of this label is voluntary; some organic producers may choose not to use it.
According to the US Organic Trade Association 75% of Americans have tried organic produce; 25% buy organic products on a weekly basis.
As for nutritional value, organic crops appear to be higher in vitamin C according to some studies.
New In 2007: In one of the most comprehensive and definitive studies of its kind to date, a team of researchers at the University of California, Davis have proven that organically grown kiwifruit contain more health-promoting factors than those grown under conventional conditions. The research is reported in the SCI’s magazine.
Statistics courtesy if the Organic Food Association
+Pauls Garden Tip
For years we've heard to use pieces of broken clay pots to line the bottom of pots to prevent potting soil from falling through the drainage hole. Sometimes we don't have broken pots available . Here are a couple of alternatives, coffee filters or used dryer sheets make excellent barriers to stop soil from leaking while allowing drainage.
About Paul Rodman
Paul Rodman has been gardening for over 40 years. He is an Advanced Master Gardener, and American Rose Society Consulting Rosarian. He is currently president of the Western Wayne County Master Gardener Association in Wayne County, Michigan.
Rodman is the garden columnist for The News Herald newspaper, in Southgate, Michigan. He has also written for the OrganicGardening.com web site.
He has lectured on various gardening topics throughout southeastern Michigan.
His favorite pastime is teaching children about gardening. For the past several years he has conducted classes for second grade students teaching them about subjects ranging from vermi-composting to propagation.
Posted by mountbaldy (from Novato, CA) on October 22, 2007 at 9:59 AM:
I bought a Mission fig tree in a 5 gallon bucket for $45 and planted it. I could never tell if it needed water or had too much water when the leaves started turning yellow and falling off in August. Anyway in dispair I dug it out of the ground and put it back in the original bucket which had drainage and the leaves stayed green. When I plant it again I guess it will have to make a bigger hole and monitor water carefully.
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Subject: Thank you!
Posted by MySharona (from Fernandina Beach, FL) on October 20, 2007 at 7:56 AM:
Informative article on a confusing topic (at least to me). I hope you will write more articles! Sharon
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Posted by threegardeners (from North Augusta, ON) on October 20, 2007 at 9:48 AM:
Very nice, thanks!!
I have never been able to understand why organic food is almost twice the price, you'd think it would be cheaper without all the expensive additives!!!
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Posted by LouC (from Desoto, TX) on October 20, 2007 at 12:33 PM:
Thank you for helping understand this a little more.
LouC
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Posted by McGlory (from Southeast, NE) on October 20, 2007 at 2:41 PM:
Thank you for clearing up a frequently muddy topic, paul. Good reading worth saving.
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Posted by carrielamont (from Milton, MA) on October 20, 2007 at 2:52 PM:
My relatives own a small vegetable farm outside Washington DC, which used to be certified 'organic'. Now, they say, the time and effort required to be "certified" makes it no longer worth it, the certification, that is. They still farm the same way, only now they call it 'eco-ganic'.
xxx, Carrie
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Posted by Islandshari (from Kwajalein
(Marshall Islands)) on October 20, 2007 at 4:27 PM:
Thanks for taking the time to tackle a confusing topic.
And I agree with Threegardeners - its hard to understand why "organic" food is so much more expensive, when fewer expensive chemicals are used to produce it.
The info on kids was very enlightening! Thanks.
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Posted by roybird (from Santa Fe, NM) on October 20, 2007 at 5:41 PM:
Simple easy-to-read article on a confusing topic. Well done.
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Posted by GrammysGardenAZ (from Cochise, AZ) on October 20, 2007 at 9:32 PM:
I use no pesticides. Lady Bugs and Lace Wings cost money. Picking some pests off by hand takes alot of time. If I get a squash borer, I get down on me knees, split the vine, dig him out, cover the split spot and hope I don't lose all the fruit on that vine. Growing organically is much more labor intensive. The fertilizers( I use mostly my own compost), allowed pesticides, soil amendments, even the seed is much more expensive and we have to pay expensive shipping on many things that are not available locally. Certified organic growers and people who grow the same way without certification earn their $$. In many cases it is as important to buy locally. Go to your local farmers market and buy the veggies that don't look perfect. Good way to tell how the grower is gardening. Carrie is right. Certification is nearly impossible for small growers. Paperwork and documentation needs a secretary. Many large companies are complying with the letter of the regulation but sometimes not with the "spirit". Allowed substances should be used only as a last resort. Bet you guys didn't even know I had a soap box. I'm getting down now! Go meet a local farmer and ask them alot of questions. You'll be really glad you did!
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Posted by LouC (from Desoto, TX) on October 20, 2007 at 9:56 PM:
Thanks, grammy. We appreciate you.
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Posted by threegardeners (from North Augusta, ON) on October 20, 2007 at 9:56 PM:
Yup......we do.
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Posted by plntr2 (from Barnegat, NJ) on October 27, 2007 at 8:52 PM:
I swear by organic. I eat organic food as much as possible and i have so much more energy, i think i look younger, and some health symptoms have disappeared. I hope more stores and local growers will provide these food gems.
