Food, Inc. Going Organic

My homeschoolers and I watched "Food, Inc." as a supplemental movie - wow, it was amazing (and scary). It really makes you think about exactly what it is that you are eating.

I had a teacher friend who was part of a produce co-op (locally grown, seasonal food). You might want to google that.

Also, I agree with another mom who mentioned that Walmart is carrying more organic foods. I really try to "vote" for these items with my food $$$.

Also, the suggestion about prioritizing organic items is good too.

Good luck - I'm right there with you trying to eat organic while preserving the budget!

Try www.localharvest.org to see if there are organic farmer's markets or CSAs in your area. I find that in-season organic produce at the farmer's market or joining a CSA is MUCH less expensive than going to the grocery store.

I think it's also helpful to prioritize what produce is most important to buy organic vs. conventional (like organic bananas aren't a big deal because you don't eat the peel, but apples and salad greens should be organic if you can get them).

Big retailers like Walmart are carrying more and more organic products all the time, so be sure to check there.

My 97 year old great grandmother saw a promo of it on Oprah and said, "Geez, it's amazing how my generation survived!" LOL. They had more sense. They know not to buy process food and places that popped up eventually throughout the years, like Nathan, Roy Rodgers, McDonalds, et cetera....was only a once in a blue moon eatery. Not a couple of times a week like parents do with kids today...it's a shame!

I think it's great that so many people are becoming more interested in what they're eating and how it impacts not only our own health, but also the environment. The Environmental Working Group puts out a list of which items are most important to buy organic, you can go to www.foodnews.org to get it. Another way to save money is to incorporate plant-based meals into your menu planning. If you don't have to buy organic meat, cheese or eggs for a dish, it can save a lot of money. We have free recipes at www.welcomingkitchen.blogspot.com.

My husband and I watched the movie and most of it wasn't new information to us, but interesting and disturbing (especially the cow)...you may also want to read the Omnivore's Delima by Michael Pollan. Organic foods have always been an interest of ours, but like you, the cost is off putting and I could never be militant about it. Some of the things we do actually save us money - we avoid eating out and we especially avoid chain restaurants. Most of our meals come from home. We make a lot of our food from scratch and we do a lot of canning. If we can't get organic ingredients for everything, at least we will avoid all the preservatives and added ingredients like corn sugar and salt. We found a local farm that is not too outrageous on their prices. We also stock up when organic stuff goes on sale. The simplest way we have changed things is that we plant a garden and started composting. We freeze and can things that are prolific. The family does it together and we all enjoy the exercise. My son gets a big kick out of eating the broccoli we planted weeks before and we hope they are getting a sense of where food comes from.

Hello,
I think I'm pretty lucky to live in the Central Valley of California, where most produce that we eat in the US is grown (when it's in season, anyway). So I may have an advantage in that we have lots of farmer's markets and many, many organic farms within driving distance of our house. However, I would imagine that there are community farms near your home as well. I found a service near my house where a local farmer will deliver fresh fruit and produce, all grown organically and locally, right to my doorstep once per week. It's so wonderful because the produce is picked when it's ripe, not weeks beforehand and then gassed to bring on color, like most produce you see in grocery stores. Asking around to friends who live around the country, they have been able to find similar farms in their areas. Do you have a farmer's market nearby? That's a great resource. You just have to make sure that they actually grew what they're selling. Another great alternative is to plant a little garden in your back yard. You can even plant them in your flower beds (who says tomatoes aren't as beautiful as petunias?)

My mom, who lives in Salt Lake City, recently signed up for an organic meat delivery service. She went out to the farm where the animals are raised to see the conditions, and saw that they were being fed properly, had plenty of room to move around, and were kept in a clean environment. She says the meat is absolutely fantastic! So, that's the next thing I'm looking into.

Also, not to freak you out even more, but have you researched milk at all? The next county over from us is the biggest milk producer in the country, and commercial dairy farms are absolutely frightening. In my opinion, organic isn't quite enough where they are concerned. We actually buy raw organic milk from a local farm (Organic Pastures). They have beautiful, clean, happy cows and their facility is spotless. The milk tastes incredible and my kids do not seem to be sensitive to dairy when it's raw (pasteurized milk really gives them digestive problems).

Anyhow, like you, I've become more and more concerned with what I'm feeding my kids. I'd consider myself to be pretty lazy when it comes to cooking, actually, but it's just really hard to feed your kids stuff that will harm them. Especially when it's not necessary and other options are available. Just do what you can for now and keep researching more ways to introduce healthier foods into your kitchen!

I have not seen the movie yet but have made little changes in my "food buying" First I looked on craigslist to find a local farmer. This is where I get my eggs from. He also raises grass fed chickens. I buy 10 at a time ($1.50a lb and they last in the freezer at least a year) The best chicken I have ever had in my life!! I also try buying some fruits and veggis in the summer at the farmers market and I also have a garden. now the farmers market items might not all be organic but a lot of them are pesticide free, and plus they are FRESH!! Then I am still in the learning process of freezing and canning fruits and veggis. I know I have a long way to go, but baby steps seems less scary! Hope this helps :) R.