What caused the e-coli outbreaks?
As soon as people started getting sick from eating "organic" spinach, big agribusiness was eagerly pointing the finger at organic growers, claiming it was the manure (that is used as fertilizer in organic and biodynamic farming) to blame.
The only problem with that is, it is not true.
In an article written October 12th by Abrahan Paulos, titled You Can Thank Big Agriculture for E-coli, it seems organically grown foods are the answer, not the problem.
"Can E. coli-free spinach be grown locally, safely, and healthy much of the year? Yes indeed, it is now being done by small and medium-sized producers in the Midwest and throughout much of the Northeast. So, what's stopping the growth? Easy. Artificial economies, subsidies, and compromises in quality in a greedy and harmful effort to produce cheaper and cheaper food" says Paulos.
I agree. Local, organic produce is the answer.
The manure that is used in biodynamic farming has been dried and processed, to clean and eliminate active bacteria cultures, while retaining the necessary nutrients (such as nitrogen and calcium) that the soil -- and plants -- need to be healthy.
The danger comes not from what is in the soil, but in how it is processed and handled after it's been picked and while it's being packaged and transported.
Soil conditions -- and chemicals -- used in agribusiness have proven to be toxic to both humans, animals and insects that are needed to help pollinate and protect the crops.
Whether or not it is a lack of understanding about biodynamic farming, or whether a deliberate attempt to discredit the organic industry, it serves no good purpose to point fingers and place blame when one is not also seeking to correct one's own conditions and causes.
Greed makes for sad outcomes -- and propaganda makes for poor policy.
Now, a lot of fresh produce can be grown in the winter months in organic, biodynamic greenhouses -- so you don't need to depend 100% on farms from warmer climates when you are looking for sources for safe greens and other vegetables.
Better yet, you could grow your own! It's not as hard as you think. When you know what has happened to youe food from seed to plate, you can relax about how safe it is -- and simply enjoy it.
And you know what? If we all stopped buying agri-food, and started to support local farmers in a big way, things would change in a hurry.
Go for the green (and healthy) stuff this winter -- look for locally grown organic produce.
Or take the leap and learn how to construct a cold frame. Try your hand at growing some green produce (think spinach, lettuce, kale, bok choy, and the like) yourself.
Enjoy your week!
Yours for extraordinary dining -- for everyone,
Nancy
Find out where to get fresh local organic produce
As soon as people started getting sick from eating "organic" spinach, big agribusiness was eagerly pointing the finger at organic growers, claiming it was the manure (that is used as fertilizer in organic and biodynamic farming) to blame.
The only problem with that is, it is not true.
In an article written October 12th by Abrahan Paulos, titled You Can Thank Big Agriculture for E-coli, it seems organically grown foods are the answer, not the problem.
"Can E. coli-free spinach be grown locally, safely, and healthy much of the year? Yes indeed, it is now being done by small and medium-sized producers in the Midwest and throughout much of the Northeast. So, what's stopping the growth? Easy. Artificial economies, subsidies, and compromises in quality in a greedy and harmful effort to produce cheaper and cheaper food" says Paulos.
I agree. Local, organic produce is the answer.
The manure that is used in biodynamic farming has been dried and processed, to clean and eliminate active bacteria cultures, while retaining the necessary nutrients (such as nitrogen and calcium) that the soil -- and plants -- need to be healthy.
The danger comes not from what is in the soil, but in how it is processed and handled after it's been picked and while it's being packaged and transported.
Soil conditions -- and chemicals -- used in agribusiness have proven to be toxic to both humans, animals and insects that are needed to help pollinate and protect the crops.
Whether or not it is a lack of understanding about biodynamic farming, or whether a deliberate attempt to discredit the organic industry, it serves no good purpose to point fingers and place blame when one is not also seeking to correct one's own conditions and causes.
Greed makes for sad outcomes -- and propaganda makes for poor policy.
Now, a lot of fresh produce can be grown in the winter months in organic, biodynamic greenhouses -- so you don't need to depend 100% on farms from warmer climates when you are looking for sources for safe greens and other vegetables.
Better yet, you could grow your own! It's not as hard as you think. When you know what has happened to youe food from seed to plate, you can relax about how safe it is -- and simply enjoy it.
And you know what? If we all stopped buying agri-food, and started to support local farmers in a big way, things would change in a hurry.
Go for the green (and healthy) stuff this winter -- look for locally grown organic produce.
Or take the leap and learn how to construct a cold frame. Try your hand at growing some green produce (think spinach, lettuce, kale, bok choy, and the like) yourself.
Enjoy your week!
Yours for extraordinary dining -- for everyone,
Nancy
Find out where to get fresh local organic produce
posted by Nancy at 3:45 PM
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