As reported in USA Weekend, August 15th, moreand more people are using organic foods. Sales of organic food have increasedmore than 20 percent in each of the past six years. One in six shoppersreported in a poll that they bought organic produce at least once a week.
Shoppers give many reasons for choosing organicfoods. Perhaps most often cited is concern for the health of their families.Although the level, and timing of pesticides is carefully controlled bythe government, past experience has shown that the standards are beingtightened as long term health risks are studied. The EPA has until theyear 2006 to reassess all pesticides.
Other reasons for choosing organic food includethe following: Foods grown on pesticide-free, well balanced soils tastebetter and have more nutrients. Organic farmers build the soil and workin harmony with nature. Organic farmers have promoted research on naturalways to protect crops from insects and diseases. They help preserve plantdiversity by collecting and preserving seeds from unusual and old-fashionedvarieties. New or old varieties may prove to have resistance to disease.Finally, organic farming helps keep rural communities healthy and providea way for the family farm to survive.
Many people would like to know more about whereto by organic foods locally. Razzll Wood Farm, Blackhoof Natural Foods,and Whole Family Foods Co-op., all sell organic food in slightly differentways.
Razzll Wood Farm, located at 7319 S. SenecaTR. 117, is a cooperative that invites people to buy shares in its organicfarming operations. They state in their newsletter that “Community SupportedAgriculture is about people sharing the costs, risks, and joys of farming.We are building sustainable supportive relationships between people, thefood we eat, and the planet we inhabit.”
Some members have working shares and help withweeding and other chores for a discount off their membership fee. Otherssimplly provide money and are rewarded by fresh produce delivered to theirdoor. Some members pick up their vegetables at the farm or at Bulk RunFoods.
The farm is operated by Randy and Amy Dolch.Readers can learn about becoming a member of their Community SupportedFarm for next season by calling 447-7523.
Blackhoof Natural Foods is a buying club thatpurchases natural and organic foods and vitamins from North Farm Cooperative,located in Madison, Wisconsin. Every four weeks s semi truck delivers,grains, flours, cheeses, packaged convenience foods, yogurt, frozen foods,and some fresh produce. Tami Clausen, director of the club, meets the semi,and sorts the food out to each individual order, and calls members to pickup their order. Orders are placed by phone, fax or mail about two weeksbefore the delivery date. She adds 7% for handling the order. Many itemsin North Farm’s monthly catalogue are discounted. Blackhoof Natural Foodsis operated by Tami Clausen and she can be reached at 447-0676.
Whole Family Foods is similar but it is a workingco-op coordinated by Cheryl Perry, 104 Liberty Street. It has 28 memberswho work at three deliveries a year. They pay an initial, one-time $10membership fee. Many of the members buy organic foods because they areallergic to additives or they are diabetic. This co-op buys food from FORC,Federation of Ohio River Cooperatives, which issues a monthly catalogue.Deliveries are also made every four weeks. Members pick up their ordersat the Seneca County Fairgrounds. For more information, call Cheryl Perryat 447-1844.
In addition, Bulk Run Foods has some foodswhich are natural, which means they have no additives. They also carryherb remedies like Saw Palmetto, Ginseng, and Melatonin.
Finally, the label “organic” is generally usedfor foods that are grown on land that has been free from pesticides forthree years. Milk and eggs must come from cows and chickens which havebeen fed only organic food and must be free of growth hormones and systematicallyapplied antibiotics.
--Mary