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Farm Kitchen:  Let's talk organic food!  |
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LakeOntarioFarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
933 Posts
Brenda
North Rose
NY
USA
933 Posts |
 Posted - Jun 16 2010 : 3:36:06 PM
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Growing my own huge garden here helps, but I am totally mystified, confused, lost, however you want to put it, about organic foods! 
How do I know what to look for in the stores? If the label says organic, is it really organic, or maybe just one little ingredient in a package? What are some good organic brands to look for? What are the most important foods to buy organic- aside from fresh veggies and fruits- I mean boxed and canned and jarred foods?
I figured this would be a good thread to have, for those of us who really want to know! 
I bought some Muir Glen organic diced tomatoes the other day to cook with baby eggplant and summer squash, and they were the best tomatoes I've ever had out of a can.
Brenda
FarmGirl # 711
Nothing we achieve in this world is achieved alone. It is always achieved with others teaching us along the way. Lee J. Colan
http://theviewfromhere-brenda.blogspot.com/ |
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ddmashayekhi
True Blue Farmgirl
4759 Posts
Dawn
Naperville
Illinois
USA
4759 Posts |
Posted - Jun 16 2010 : 4:18:39 PM
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I look for USDA certified organic mark on the packaging. I love Whole Foods 365 organic store brand. It is less $ then the name brands and very high quality.
Dawn in IL |
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quiltin mama
True Blue Farmgirl
436 Posts
Heather
Crescent City
CA
USA
436 Posts |
Posted - Jun 16 2010 : 7:05:24 PM
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Fruits and veggies always have a sticker on them. If the # starts with 3 or 4, it's conventional, if it starts with 9, it's organic. I believe that ones that start with a 5 are GMO.
I personally don't buy much canned or boxed foods but here are a few of my favorite organic brands:
Rudi's
Food for Life
Annie's
Pacific Foods
Emerald Valley
Stoneyfield
Woodstock Farms
Simply Organic
Like Dawn said, looking for the USDA organic symbol indicates that the entire food is organic. Otherwise the package may say something on it like, "Made with organic flour" Usually that indicates that there may be organic and non organic ingredients.
We only buy organic foods. If it is too expensive to buy, then we go without. I'd rather do that then expose myself and my family to all the junk (pesticides, GMO's, etc) that are in non-organic foods.
I would suggest looking locally for as much as possible. We get our meats, milk, butter, cheese, veggies, and some fruits locally so there isn't a whole lot more to buy. We do purchase things like mayo and chips, flour and oats, granola bars and yogurt from our local health food store or our co-op.
Here's what our dinner looked like tonight:
BBQ Chicken (chicken is from a farm here in CA)
corn (grown and canned by me)
kraut (made by me)
potatoes (grown by me)
milk (raw, from a friends cow)
It actually may end up being easier than you think! Good luck! 
my blog www.mountainhomequilts.blogspot.com
handmade quilts on etsy www.mountainhomequilts.etsy.com |
Edited by - quiltin mama on Jun 16 2010 7:07:03 PM |
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Kerbear
True Blue Farmgirl
261 Posts
Kerry
Middle
Tennessee
USA
261 Posts |
Posted - Jun 16 2010 : 7:44:16 PM
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I am fairly new to organics, so as far as I understand its important to buy not only fruits and veggies but also its really important to buy meats, eggs, and dairy-- pretty much any kind of animal products. That is because some animals are not only fed grains with pesticides etc but also are being injected with growth hormones and antibiotics.
I have to say, organic milk is so delicious! I never thought there would be such a huge difference~
~Kerry Anne
Farmgirl Sister #975 |
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Montrose Girl
Farmgirl Legend/Schoolmarm
1360 Posts
Laurie
Montrose
CO
1360 Posts |
Posted - Jun 17 2010 : 06:44:23 AM
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One thing to keep in mind that a lot of people don't realize is that just because it says organic doesn't mean they don't spray. Yes, they use more friendly sprays, but most of your big organic growers have to spray just as much or more than the conventional folks. We have both conventional and organic apple growers around here.
Is organic better, oh yes, but we've had people at the farmer's market that don't understand that. It's different for most small farmers, but if we are making decisions we should know all the facts. You might want to do some more research, and don't let what I am telling you deter you from buying organic. All information makes us better shoppers. Like Heather I don't buy much processed food but agree with the companies she listed as my first choice when I do.
Some folks need to start with a few items when they switch to organics because it can cost a bit more. You are right to say you should get dairy, meat, fruits and veggies organic. If you can make the switch all at once that's great. Check around for local farmers for your meat. This time of year is a bit hard as most animals are harvested in the fall.
Good luck
Best Growing |
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msdoolittle
True Blue Farmgirl
1145 Posts
Amanda
East Texas
USA
1145 Posts |
Posted - Jun 18 2010 : 06:48:46 AM
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Hey, I think y'all would like this. Here's how to decipher those USDA labels:
http://www.organic.org/articles/showarticle/article-201
Here's a shopping guide:
http://www.nongmoshoppingguide.com/SG/Home/index.cfm
I also thought this was interesting, too:
http://www.goodguide.com/
:0)
a
Edited to say: Also the term 'organic' is a government regulated term. For example, I consider what I do here to be organic, though by government standards it is not. Why? Because I use a city sludge soil additive, which means that my foods can't technically be labeled as 'organic'. I don't use pesticides/chemicals and I use bunny poo for fertilizer. Anyhoo, the best way is just to do it yourself, then you KNOW what's in the food :0D
FarmGirl #1390
www.mylittlecountry.wordpress.com |
Edited by - msdoolittle on Jun 18 2010 07:09:11 AM |
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knead2garden
True Blue Farmgirl
359 Posts
Ashley
Spring City
TN
USA
359 Posts |
Posted - Jun 18 2010 : 1:07:50 PM
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Heather, I did not know about the numbers on the labels!! That is such a great piece of information to have. Thank you for sharing:)
~Ashley
#1677
"In the end we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we have been taught." -Baba Dioum |
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texdane
Farmgirl Legend Chapter Leader Chapter Guru
4658 Posts
Nicole
Sandy Hook
CT
USA
4658 Posts |
Posted - Jun 18 2010 : 5:38:58 PM
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Brenda, You aren't too far from me since you are in NY. Do you have a Shoprite nearby? They have a HUGE amount of organic food for alot less than most places. Every week they add more. Their store brand organic is great, and is USDA certified. Costco also has organic milk and organic eggs much cheaper than I've seen anywhere else. Shoprite is the best, though. Also, just found organic bread and hamburger buns pretty inexpenisively at Big Y.
Nicole
Farmgirl Sister #1155
KNITTER, JAM-MAKER AND MOM EXTRAORDINAIRE |
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reereebee
True Blue Farmgirl
142 Posts
Marie
Clark
WY
USA
142 Posts |
Posted - Jun 18 2010 : 5:53:30 PM
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My uncle is a small farmer outside of Tallahassee, FL and due to the cost of being certified as USDA organic there is now a label called "Certified Naturally Grown"(which is what he is) that was developed specifically for small farmers that grow a variety of crops all at one time. Here is a link to the explanation:
http://www.naturallygrown.org/about-cng/brief-history-of-certified-naturally-grown
You will most likely see Certified Naturally Grown produce at farmers markets, produce stands and small, local grocery stores. However, they are required to follow all of the same practices as "organic" farmers. Make sure to support your local growers
--Marie--
Farmgirl Sister #1627
“Nothing is really work unless you would rather be doing something else” - J.M. BARRIE, Novelist
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Edited by - reereebee on Jun 18 2010 5:55:29 PM |
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Farm Kitchen: Let's talk organic food! |
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Let's talk organic food!
