“getting over organic”
there has been quite a bit of discussion since the “USDA Organic” label came out about the pros and cons of organic going so “commercial”. many organic purists were against the USDA label, arguing that the “organic” label should only be applied to foods that are not only chemically organic, but also farmed, processed, and distributed organically – that mass-produced, frozen t.v. dinners labeled “organic” takes away from the whole idea and aim of organic farming. this article, “getting over organic”, discusses this briefly. i’m not sure yet how i feel about the whole thing.
on the one hand, i agree that the idea of organic farming does involve more than just how the food is grown. traditionally it focuses on small, family farms and community oriented distribution. the “USDA organic” label is now creating an “industry” out of organic farming – large factory farms that are technically growing according to the new guidelines, but still mass-producing and packaging the foods, shipping it off to warehouses and distributors and consumers in far away places. the small community farm focus is not part of the picture. and, in fact, some farms that have been operating for decades just outside the USDA organic guidelines (because of historic soil or water quality, for example) feel their business is now suffering because they can’t apply the “one-size-fits-all” label, and now if organic consumers don’t see the label, they won’t buy it.
however, i also think that with the population of the world growing by the second, it really isn’t possible to locally and organically grow enough food to feed everyone on the planet. food is going to have to be factory farmed and mass produced regardless, and if there is a trend toward making that food at least chemically organic, it’s definitely not hurting anyone. also, for people who live in parts of the country/world where year round farming is not an option (like the NorthEast U.S.), being able to buy packaged organic food will make it possible for consumers to support organic farming year round. here in California, where it seems like most of this discussion is taking place, we have the luxury of year round growing season and farmers markets. i think it’s kind of selfish for Californians to not consider the fact that most other places don’t, and that the mass-produced organic food is allowing people in colder climates to buy organic all year round. if you want to be picky, go ahead and continue to only buy in-season and directly from the farmers. i think fighting against the USDA organic label is hurting, not helping, the main cause.
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