11. Organic Food Research Essay

Dwight Kruse

Dr. C. Jason Smith

Eng101 T-Th 10:30am

23 May 2014

Organically Speaking

    America has become oblivious to the obvious: Organic food is the best option. Do you ever wonder why certain foods and meats in grocery stores can afford to be so cheap? The demand in America for cheaper food has become so large that everyday consumers turn a blind eye to how their food is made and more about the quantity over quality. But what do we really sacrifice? You are what you eat, but do you really know what you are eating? If you choose a brand other than organic, you are eating chemical fertilizers that your vegetables and plants grew in. You are in danger of consuming synthetic insecticides as well as pesticide residue. The meat you purchase has been injected with growth hormones while spending their whole lives packed with other animals with no room to breathe. Those chemical raised plants and vegetables? They have also been consumed by the meats you are about to consume. Consumers like us fund these corporations every day without a second thought. We make them richer so they can continue to buy more land and pollute the environment. Big corporations overwork their employees and fatigue those who prepare our food. With the land we help them buy, they put more and more organic farmers out of business and continue their reign to poison us little by little. By eating and purchasing conventional food products, we are putting ourselves and our future at risk. By taking a little time out and learning about how our food is made, perhaps we can make a wiser decision today that will make a world of difference for tomorrow.

While shopping in a grocery store, you have probably noticed certain labels on meats and produce labeled "Organic" that is usually followed by a heavy price tag compared to the items next to it that does not have an "Organic" label. The reason behind the price tag is a world of difference between conventional food and organic food. Organic food is better for your health and the environment and it is worth the investment. After all, your body is the ultimate machine and it deserves the best care in the world. By buying organic products, you are also investing into a better environment as well as your local farmers. Organic products have to meet strict government standards to earn their label. Organic farmers invest heavily into their products by using natural fertilizers to organic feed to animals compared to antibiotics and growth hormones used by factory farmers. These farmers work hard everyday to supply American consumers with a healthier and more beneficial alternative. Even if the prices are higher than conventional farming, every cent goes back into your diet and a safer environment. According to an article on Mayo Clinic, organic farmers apply natural fertilizers such as compost for their soil and plants. They spray pesticides from natural sources and give animals organic feed. Organic farmers allow their animals access to outdoors while maintaining a balanced diet in clean housing as a measure to minimize disease (Mayo Clinic). Organic farmers work very hard to maintain their farms while going through a very strict certification program from The U.S. Department of Agriculture to earn their organic label. They deserve every cent invested back into them, because they invest back into their consumers as well as into their farms.

     Although we know factory farming exists, we do not really think about what goes on behind those closed doors. Slaughterhouses owned by large corporations have come a long way from what they once were. Butchers were once paid a middle class salary and now companies hire immigrants for less than minimum wage. They intentionally hire workers who won't complain, do immense amounts of overtime with no extra pay, and compensate them very little for injuries if not at all. According to Eric Schlosser from the book Fast Food Nation,"From a purely economic point of view, injured workers are a drag on profits. They are less productive. Getting rid of them makes a deal of financial sense, especially when new workers are readily available and inexpensive to train". How can we trust these companies when they do not even care for their workers? Since the boom of fast food franchises such as Mcdonald's and Carl's Jr., factory farming has increased productivity to meet the demands of Americans who feed into their fast food crave due to their busy schedules. This increases the risk of workers who are fatigued from over work. Bacteria from fecal matter gets mixed in with the meat that gets delivered right on to your plate. Eric Schlosser states a quote from the Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman complained in 1997, "We cane fine circuses for mistreating elephants, but we can't fine companies that violate food-safety standards." Regarding an E. coli outbreak in February 1997. By that time the United States Department of Agriculture even finds out, It would be already to late. These companies have put a lot of lives at risk and with how fast they put their products out, anyone can be their next victim.

     Large food industries have put organic farmers out of businesses as well as buying them out. According to Stephanie Strom from New York Times, "Coca-Cola, Cargill, ConAgra, General Mills, Kraft, and M&M Mars among them- have gobbled up most of the nation's organic food industry". Bear Naked and Kashi belong to "Kellog" and Naked Juice belongs to PepsiCo. There are also some things to look for in labels being misdirected. For example, "made with organic ingredients" are on the label but not used with the seal. Seventy percent or less organic ingredients cannot use the seal or the word "organic" on their product labels. Some of these businesses trick you into buying their products even though it is not purely organic. Organic farms are being bought out and disappearing from existence. The ones that are still in business are in danger of being the next ones out. Big companies have seen how many people are switching into the organic trend. According to Philip H. Howard, an assistant professor at Michigan State University says, “In some ways, organic is a victim of its own success. Big corporations see the trends and the opportunity to make money and profit.” In some cases, Organic farmers have no choice but to sell due to lack of funds and support. At this rate, even if we think we are buying organic food, we are still funding the same company we have been trying to avoid and not the independent organic farmers that really need our help. The best thing to do is research where the food is coming from and actually funding the local farmers at farmers markets and reputable organic stores.

According to A.L Kennedy on an article of Health benefits of Organic food vs. Processed Food, “Organic foods are grown or raised without chemical pesticides, antibiotics or hormones, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Organic farmers take advantage of natural methods of fertilizing soil and controlling weeds and insects. Certain organic foods, such as milk and tomatoes, may contain health benefits that make these organic foods a healthier choice than their processed or conventional counterparts.” There are more advantages to eating organic food than conventional food. By eating organic food, you are also eating more nutrition and an increased antioxidant content, because of the lack of pesticides in organic food. “Conventionally raised plants do not need to produce as many antioxidants because any plant-eating insects that might prey on them are controlled with insecticides,” (livestrong.com Health Benefits of Organic Foods Vs. Processed Foods). Organic food takes away the harmful risk of exposing their consumers from pesticide residue which have been known to cause health complications.

Undoubtedly, America's demand for convenience is at a grand scale. That's the reason why so many americans have the luxury of spending so much time wandering the aisles of grocery stores. Different as it may seem, most of these products we decide on are owned by the same company or one of the few that control a majority of the market. The more they control, the more they expand. Americans invest into fast food chains that these companies ship their products to and they get richer every day. By relying on convenience, consumers are encouraging a higher risk for future health complications. On the other hand, Organic farmers are struggling to keep alive. They are pushed to sell or go bankrupt or not make enough money to send their products out to the markets. Organic food is a healthier option as well as it is more nutritious despite it being more expensive. Buying organic is an investment into the environment. Consumers are buying food that have gone through a rigorous United States Department of Agriculture inspection. It is a purchase of food that has not been exposed to harmful pesticides and meats that have not been injected with growth hormones. It is a support to farmers who treat their animals with humane care as well as their workers. Most importantly, It is a step into the right direction of a healthier lifestyle for us and the future.

Works Cited

Harms, Roger , and Kenneth Berge. "Nutrition and healthy eating." Organic foods: Are they safer? More nutritious?. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 May 2014. <http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/organic-food/art-20043880>.

Pogash, Carol. "The Elders of Organic Farming." The New York Times. The New York Times, 24 Jan. 2014. Web. 27 May 2014. <http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/25/business/the-elders-of-organic-farming.html?_r=0>.

Strom, Stephanie. "Has 'Organic' Been Oversized?." The New York Times. The New York Times, 6 July 2012. Web. 27 May 2014. <http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/08/business/organic-food-purists-worry-about-big-companies-influence.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0>.

Schlosser, Eric. Fast food nation: the dark side of the all-American meal. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2001. Print.

Kennedy, A.L.. "Health Benefits of Organic Foods Vs. Processed Foods." LIVESTRONG.COM. LIVESTRONG.COM, 3 Nov. 2013. Web. 27 May 2014. <http://www.livestrong.com/article/258734-health-benefits-of-organic-foods-vs-processed-food/>.

(America has become oblivious to the obvious: Organic food is the best option. Do you ever wonder why certain foods and meats in grocery stores can afford to be so cheap? The demand in America for cheaper food has become so large that everyday consumers turn a blind eye to how their food is made and more about quantity over quality. But what do we really sacrifice? You are what you eat, but do you really know what you're eating? If you choose a brand other than organic, you're eating chemical fertilizers that your vegetables and plants grew in. You're in danger of consuming synthetic insecticides. Your meat has been injected with growth hormones while spending their whole lives packed with other animals with no room to breathe. Those chemical raised plants and vegetables? They have also been consumed by the meats you're about to consume. Consumers like us fund these corporations every day without a second thought. We make them richer so they can continue to buy more land and pollute the environment. With the land we help them buy, they put more and more organic farmers out of business and continue their reign to poison us little by little. By eating and purchasing conventional food products, we are putting ourselves and our future at risk. By taking a little time out and learning about how our food is made, perhaps we can make a wiser descision today that will make a world of difference for tomorrow.
      While shopping in a grocery store, you've probably noticed certain labels on meats and produce labeled "Organic" that is usually followed by a heavy pricetag compared to the items next to it that does not have an "Organic" label. The reason behind the pricetag is a world of difference between conventional food and organic food. Organic food is better for your health and the environment and it is worth the investment. After all, your body is the ultimate machine and it deserves the best care in the world. By buying organic products, you're also investing into a better environment as well as your local farmers. Organic products have to meet strict government standards to earn their label. Organic farmers invest heavily into their products by using natural fertilizers to organic feed to animals compared to antibiotics and growth hormones used by factory farmers. These farmers work hard everyday to supply American consumers with a healthier and more beneficial alternative. Even if the prices are higher than conventional farming, every cent goes back into your health and into our environment. According to an article on Mayo Clinic, organic farmers apply natural fertilizers such as compost for their soil and plants. They spray pesticides from natural sources and give animals organic feed. Allow them access to outdoors while maintaining a balanced diet in clean housing as a measure to minimize disease (Mayo Clinic). Organic farmers work very hard to maintain their farms while going through a very strict certification program from The U.S. Department of Agriculture to earn their organic label. They deserve every cent invested back into them.
     Although we know factory farming exists, we don't really think about what goes on behind those closed doors. Slaughterhouses owned by large corporations have come a long way from what they once were. Butchers were once paid a middle class salary and now companies hire immigrants for less than minimum wage. They intentionally hire workers who won't complain, do immense amounts of overtime with no extra pay, and compensate them very little for injuries if not at all. According to Eric Schlosser from the book Fast Food Nation,"From a purely economic point of view, injured workers are a drag on profits. They are less productive. Getting rid of them makes a deal of finacial sense, especially when new workers are readily available and inexpensive to train". Since the boom of fast food franchises such as Mcdonald's and Carl's Jr., factory farming has increased productivity to meet the demands of Americans who feed into their fast food crave due to their busy schedules. This increases the risk of workers who are fatigued from over work. Bacteria from fecal matter gets mixed in with the meat that gets delivered right on to your plate. Eric Schlosser states a quote from the Secretary of Agricuture Dan Glickman complained in 1997, "We cane fine ciruses for mistreating elephants, but we can't fine companies that violate food-safety standards." Regarding an Ecoli outbreak in February 1997. The U.S. Department of Agriculture are actually helpless in such cases where they can pull (example..) from shelves, but they cannot order the recall of food that has been known to be contaminated. By that time they even find out, It would be already to late.
     Large food industries have put organic farmers out of businesses as well as buying them out. According to ** a New York times article, "Coca-Cola, Cargill, ConAgra, General Mills, Kraft, and M&M Mars among them- have gobbled up most of the nation's organic food industry". Bear Naked and Kashi belong to "Kellog" and Naked Juice belongs to PepsiCo. There are also some things to look for in labels being misdirected. For example, "made with organic ingredients" are on the label but not used with the seal. Seventy percent or less organic ingredients cannot use the seal or the word "organic" on their product labels. Organic farms are being bought out and disappearing from existence. The ones that are still in business are in danger of being the next ones out. ** more examples and expaination of..**)