Sunday, February 10, 2008
Question 4
During the chapters on industrial organic, we learned some background information on what “free range chicken” actually means and the consequences of producing organic lettuce on a national scale. What’s your take on mass-produced organic food? Is it any better than conventionally produced non-organic food? (It certainly is more expensive!) And if it is better… ‘better for what?’
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As Pollan said, organic produce is heartier because it has to be more pest-resistant, and thus healthier. Meat is healthier as it is not pumped with hormones and antibiotics. As far as being healthier for the planet, the carbon footprint and the ravishing of the land it is grown on makes it almost as bad as regular industrial agriculture. It was definitely eye-opening: "organic" is not all that it is marketed to be. BUT, that being said, after reading this, I think for my own personal health, I would rather buy organic if I can afford it. What I really want to do is to find some local farms to support after reading about Joel Salatin. He is amazing!
I had no idea that the organic food industry is so similar to the non-organic food industry. It certainly isn't always better. It's not really better for the animals themselves - they don't seem to lead much happier or healthier lives (other than the absence of steroids and antibiotics). They still live in extremely cramped and disgusting circumstances and are still fed food that they aren't really meant to eat (ie. cows are still fed grain instead of grass - it's just that the grain is certified organic). And as Blair mentioned, it's not really much better for the environment. Although harsh chemicals don't ruin the soil, the farming techniques that they have to use does. Organic produce and meat does sound like it is more healthy and better for us, though. But I'm still not sure why it costs so much more. They're mass-producing it, just like non-organic food. Maybe one of you can help me out?
I thought this section was especially interesting. I don't know that I have a ton to add to what has been said, but I definitely think that the food is better for me and for my health and, in many ways, better for the environment (though not in all the ways we might hope). The fact that it is not all it is cracked up to be isn't that surprising considering the fact that those companies have to mass produce their food. I still definitely prefer eating organic food (except organic milk, which I think tastes funny). I agree with Blair, though. In the end I would rather find a local farm to support.
I think the reason organic food is more expensive is because it is more labor intensive, at least for produce. He talked a little bit about the fact that harvesting the lettuce at Earthbound Farms required more labor and careful harvesting. I would assume meats are more expensive because the organic grains are more expensive than regular feed and so on...
I was also wondering about the increase costs of organic. I feel like I can't straighten it all out in my head. The extra costs must be a result of the labor and "organic" feed...but not sure. Anyone else more clued in?
I was always under the impression that organic foods cost more because yields were lower when you grew things organically, but that doesn't really seem to be the case with the industrial organic. It is still a case of supply and demand, but it seems like all the yuppie hippies drive up the price with high demand, instead of a short supply, which is what I thought it was.
On another note, I did quite a bit of work in Kenya to get the Coconut Oil organically certified and I wasn't all that impressed with the industry. There was a long list of strange chemicals that were just fine to add to your "organic" concoction. Also, Pollan makes this point about his organic asparagus from Argentina - we don't really know if "organic" has a net positive effect on its place of origin. The farmers in Kenya would have gotten a higher price for their coconuts, but would have also sacrificed yields in lots of other crops that would feed their families. The government there was only concerned with having enough to eat and generally discouraged organic farming because of the reduced yields (whether actual or assumed).
I also know of farmers who farm in a much more "sustainable" way but don't go through the cost and headache of getting certified as an orgainc producer, even though they are.
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