Organic, Natural or . . . ?

Everyone has heard that organic food is better, safer. . . and more expensive. Unfortunately, (in my opinion), it has also become a big business, and the bigger it gets, the further it is from the original meaning. One reason it costs more is because it is difficult and expensive for a producer to get the original certification, and then there is a substantial yearly fee to maintain it. This puts it out of reach of the average small family farmer.

Another term that has become popular is "Naturally Grown". This designation is rapidly accumulating the same baggage as "Organic" - legislation defining who can use it, ongoing costs, etc. Just as with the "Organic" label, when large agribusinesses adopt these terms, they also find loopholes to allow them to very narrowly apply the labels. For example, it is legal to describe eggs as "free range" if there is one small door that opens to the outside of the building, even if no chicken knows it is there or uses it.


The picture at the left shows what it really means for chickens to be "free range". They have total freedom to run around, eat grass, catch bugs and just live as nature meant them to live.

What I am interested in is how the food was raised. I don't care about labels, I just don't want any added chemicals or antibiotics, and I want the animals raised humanely, not in crates or feedlots. Cows, goats, sheep and pigs should have access to pasture and chickens need to be able to scratch, eat bugs and grass, and move around freely. I like meat and eat it regularly, but hate the thought that the animal that provided it lived a miserable life. What I want is to meet the farmer and even visit the farm. One term for this concept is "Transparent". Most farmers will welcome your visit, but remember that they are busy people. Always contact them and set up a time when it is convenient for you to come.

Have you ever hugged a goat?

The food from happy, healthy animals, be it milk, eggs or meat, is far superior in both taste and nutrition. Check out http://www.eatwild.com/ and click on "Benefits for your health" on the left hand side. That same website has lots of other interesting information, also.

The first and easiest step in becoming a "localvore" is to look for locally grown and produced items at your supermarket or restaurant. If you don't see anything marked "locally produced", ask the manager to carry it and mark it clearly.

We are fortunate here in Charleston in that there is a very active movement advocating that we all try to buy at least 10% of our purchases at locally owned stores. Go to http://www.lowcountrylocalfirst.com/ to learn more about it, and to find the local businesses.

Don't forget to enter the contest for free tickets to visit the Yorktown! See "contest rules" on the sidebar to see what you need to do.