Here marks the beginning of our collaborative 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, you should always try to buy close to home. •Why: –Time span between the actual food being picked and delivered to where you will purchase it–Energy conservation–Sustainability of large scale food systems–Supporting local businesses within the community
•Natural
Farming is a philosophy that respects the laws of nature along with the livestock that will be raised to one day grace your table as “food”. Natural farming is sustainable. –
–“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 LocalHarvest. –http://www.localharvest.org/organic.jsp
•Grass Fed / Pastured
Grass fed, or pastured, animals are raised on pasture, as opposed to being kept in 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. We list those farms in LocalHarvest too. –•http://www.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.
Buzz Words-
•Local
www.localharvest.org/suggests that when buying organic foods, you should always try to buy close to home. •Why: –Time span between the actual food being picked and delivered to where you will purchase it–Energy conservation–Sustainability of large scale food systems–Supporting local businesses within the community
•Natural
Farming is a philosophy that respects the laws of nature along with the livestock that will be raised to one day grace your table as “food”. Natural farming is sustainable. –
–“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 LocalHarvest. –http://www.localharvest.org/organic.jsp
•Grass Fed / Pastured
Grass fed, or pastured, animals are raised on pasture, as opposed to being kept in 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. We list those farms in LocalHarvest too. –•http://www.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.
-A food that most people eat.Let's check out the selections.
-A food that most people eat.Let's check out the selections.
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: Out of poultry for 2010. This includes turkey! Check back in late winter/early spring for 2011 chicken and turkey orders. Eggs available, pick is by appointment, on Saturday or Sunday mornings before noon. Please email your request and wait for confirmation before visiting the Farm. All pick ups are scheduled. –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: Out of poultry for 2010. This includes turkey! Check back in late winter/early spring for 2011 chicken and turkey orders. Eggs available, pick is by appointment, on Saturday or Sunday mornings before noon. Please email your request and wait for confirmation before visiting the Farm. All pick ups are scheduled. –Extra Jumbo thru extra large, eggs, $5/Doz. –Large thru small eggs, $3/Doz. or 3 dozen for $10.00
Chicken, its what's for dinner.
•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.
•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- 5lbs $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
Convention brussel sprouts ( we couldn’t find organic) $2.50
Let's add it up!
Shop rite- Reading Farms roaster+russet potatoes+brussel sprouts= $13.42
Shop Rite- Perdue roaster+russet potatoes+brussel sprouts= $8.98
Whole Foods- Organic roaster+russet potatoes+brussel sprouts= $16.66
Whole Foods- Fresh air chilled roaster+russet potatoes= brussel sprouts= $15.17
Who's the real winner?
Remember: "You get what you pay for."
Shop Rite: Readington Farms Roaster- 4.73 lbs $8.94
Perdue Roaster- 4.74 lbs $4.50
Russet potatoes- 5lbs $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
Convention brussel sprouts ( we couldn’t find organic) $2.50
Let's add it up!
Shop rite- Reading Farms roaster+russet potatoes+brussel sprouts= $13.42
Shop Rite- Perdue roaster+russet potatoes+brussel sprouts= $8.98
Whole Foods- Organic roaster+russet potatoes+brussel sprouts= $16.66
Whole Foods- Fresh air chilled roaster+russet potatoes= brussel sprouts= $15.17
Who's the real winner?
Remember: "You get what you pay for."
Up next on our journey, Sharon took a trip to 7th Heaven Farm; where she was given a tour by the very busy Carla. Carla is one of the owners of the farm and was more than happy to give us some of her time and do an interview for this project. Sharon got to experience an all natural place where the animals are not only sold or breed but loved as well.
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 is that”, but I never really thought about how the animals were treated prior to being processed, and how their treatment could affect my health and 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!
I was so mad at myself after watching the movie, for not questioning what is going on with our food, especially since I love animals and hope that all animals are treated humanely. Wendell Berry had it right when he wrote about this disconnect between agriculture and the dinner table 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 I came to grips with the fact that I needed 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/question was the driving force behind our main research question. As we began to research, more questions started to arise. How was I going to gain access to foods that were derived from animals that were farmed humanely and pasture fed. The nearest Whole Foods to me is located in Marlton, NJ. Being that I live in Blackwood, NJ, it’s needless to say that this can be an inconvenience, but it is “doable”. Also, was organic food bought from a large food chain what I was looking for? I wanted to support my local farmers, and I wanted my food to be fresh, but where are these farms located, and will they sell to just me, one not so wealthy consumer? Our original research topic 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 & the 7th Heaven Farm, I realized that local, natural farms that use organic practices is what I’m looking for. It’s definitely more expensive (usually double the price) than shopping at a “traditional” supermarket like Shop-Rite, but for me, it’s worth it in the end. After meeting with Carla Growney at 7th Heaven Farm, there were a lot of statements she made that really made an impact on me, “We do not raise food, we raise animals”, and ”There is a green eating 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.” I want to be part of that movement.
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 is that”, but I never really thought about how the animals were treated prior to being processed, and how their treatment could affect my health and 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!
I was so mad at myself after watching the movie, for not questioning what is going on with our food, especially since I love animals and hope that all animals are treated humanely. Wendell Berry had it right when he wrote about this disconnect between agriculture and the dinner table 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 I came to grips with the fact that I needed 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/question was the driving force behind our main research question. As we began to research, more questions started to arise. How was I going to gain access to foods that were derived from animals that were farmed humanely and pasture fed. The nearest Whole Foods to me is located in Marlton, NJ. Being that I live in Blackwood, NJ, it’s needless to say that this can be an inconvenience, but it is “doable”. Also, was organic food bought from a large food chain what I was looking for? I wanted to support my local farmers, and I wanted my food to be fresh, but where are these farms located, and will they sell to just me, one not so wealthy consumer? Our original research topic 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 & the 7th Heaven Farm, I realized that local, natural farms that use organic practices is what I’m looking for. It’s definitely more expensive (usually double the price) than shopping at a “traditional” supermarket like Shop-Rite, but for me, it’s worth it in the end. After meeting with Carla Growney at 7th Heaven Farm, there were a lot of statements she made that really made an impact on me, “We do not raise food, we raise animals”, and ”There is a green eating 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.” I want to be part of that movement.
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 fruit and vegetables usually have better taste, helps smaller family farms to exist among the few, large factory farms, 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. We can deal directly with our local farmers face to face, and/or we can still shop at our local “traditional” supermarkets. Food is freshest when we buy from our local farmers, because our food won’t be transported across country, or even internationally. Think about it this way, if the farms living in close proximity to you can’t grow asparagus during the winter months, we shouldn’t be eating asparagus during the winter months. There are plenty of local farms that have websites displaying what is in season for purchase at certain times of the year. Besides eating fresh food, when buying food 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 and where it came from.
Eating organically may not always be easy, but it can be done.
*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
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 fruit and vegetables usually have better taste, helps smaller family farms to exist among the few, large factory farms, 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. We can deal directly with our local farmers face to face, and/or we can still shop at our local “traditional” supermarkets. Food is freshest when we buy from our local farmers, because our food won’t be transported across country, or even internationally. Think about it this way, if the farms living in close proximity to you can’t grow asparagus during the winter months, we shouldn’t be eating asparagus during the winter months. There are plenty of local farms that have websites displaying what is in season for purchase at certain times of the year. Besides eating fresh food, when buying food 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 and where it came from.
Eating organically may not always be easy, but it can be done.
*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
