The time has long passed when someone looking to buy an apple would go to his or her local grocer and purchase the one and only type of apple available. Today, demand requires a variety of apples to be offered to customers—from the standard Red Delicious to the starchy Gala; and from local to conventional to organically grown apples. With so many options available for these and others foods, how can we decide what to purchase? Food labels start to get overwhelming even for nutrition experts. The following Q&A will help you become more knowledgeable about the foods you eat, and will make your next grocery-shopping trip a bit easier.
Q: Is “organic” food better for me?
A: The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), which sets the standards of what “organic” food means, defines it as follows:
“Organic meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones. Organic food is produced without using most conventional pesticides; fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge; bioengineering; or ionizing radiation.”
Buying organic also supports farmers who use renewable resources and help to conserve water and soil quality. So, in the end, buying and eating organic food may be better for you by decreasing the amount of chemicals you ingest over a lifetime, and could benefit the earth for future generations.
Q: Doesn’t organic food cost more?
A: The catch is, buying organic can be expensive. If you watch for foods in season or on sale, you may be able to make it work with your budget. However, you don’t need to eat organic to eat healthier. If you don’t eat a lot of fruits or vegetables now, I’d rather you start adding any type, organic or not, into your diet. Maintaining a healthier lifestyle will be much more beneficial to your health, regardless of how your apples were grown. But, if you want to make the switch and buy more organic foods, then go for it.
Q. Should I buy “local” products?
A. As a girl who grew up next to a 100-acre dairy farm, I can tell you that farming is hard work with little reward. Farmers in the United States are constantly fighting battles and losing ground (literally, losing their farmland). Buying local supports our nearby farms and helps keep them in business. Like organic food, I find that sometimes farmers’ markets can be more expensive, but keep your eye out for good deals. Above all, local foods are produced nearby, which means they didn’t have to travel far to make it to your plate. By decreasing the waste and pollution it takes to ship foods from far distances (such as broccoli, most of which comes from California), you are decreasing your carbon footprint in the world.
Q. What does “seasonal” food mean?
A. We have gotten used to having any food item we want at any time of year. However, there are growing seasons due to weather changes, and what can grow in New York during the summer or fall probably doesn’t grow during the winter. To supplement this deficit, grocery stores ship the missing foods from other states or countries. This increases the cost and shipping time and also can affect flavor, which is lost along the way. When you buy seasonal foods, you’re likely ensuring that your food is better quality at the best price.
Q. How can I find out what’s in season and available locally?
A. Check out the following link, which lists the growing seasons for many fruits and vegetables grown in New York: http://localfoods.about.com/od/searchbyregion/a/nyseasons.htm. For those who are more tech-savvy, the Eco-Label app by Consumer Reports is a great way to look up food labels you find in stores. Just search for the label and you can find out its definition, how meaningful it is and what it actually means for consumers.
Best of luck on your next trip to the grocery store!