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Nutritious. While the nutrient composition of a whole organic apple may be higher than a whole conventional apple, that does not mean that all organic foods are inherently healthy. Let’s go back to the example of a box of cookies. Organic cookies may be made with organic white flour, organic cane sugar, and organic milk chocolate chips, but they are still laden with starch and empty calories and may contribute to an ever-growing epidemic of obesity and diabetes. Don’t expect organic processed foods to be any more nutritious than non-organic processed foods; your best bet for nutrition will always be to choose whole foods.
Local. Organic foods are not always produced locally. The average food item travels 1,500 miles before it reaches the average consumer. That’s a lot of fossil fuel consumption! The average organic food item still travels 1,200 miles before it reaches the average consumer -- not a great deal less than the conventional! If choosing local foods is a priority for you, seek out farmers’ markets and co-ops as your priority for grocery shopping. Here you are likely to find both local and organic foods -- which will help to protect the environment and support your local community.
Fairly-traded. Fair-trade refers to goods that are produced using socially responsible methods: their workers are given a fair wage, work in humane conditions, and are treated without discrimination. Organic foods may still be grown by illegal migrant workers receiving unfair wages in harsh working conditions. Once again, seeking organics from a local source, or one where you can trace the farmers’ stories will ensure that the food is both green and socially responsible.
WHERE TO FIND ORGANICS
Here are some resources to get you started on your quest for organic foods.
SELECTED REFERENCES
Want to learn more? Check out these informative resources to read about organic standards, laws, research studies, and more.
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