Excuse Me, Are You Going to Eat That?
I watched a youtube video this morning about our food and how it's been genetically engineered and altered over the years. I must confess I have known that this has been going on for some time but haven't really known what to do about. I think I've mostly taken the stand of an ostrich with it's head in the sand. I know that there is a problem but I had no idea what to do about it and how bad it really is. I also err on the side of being too trusting of the Government. I had figured that there was more testing done and that they wouldn't allow things to be on the shelves that were that harmful to us. I suppose I was sort of defeatist about things as well. Really there isn't a lot out there that is "good" for us anymore and I can't afford to eat all organic so what's the point in trying.
Randall was also explaining a bit to me today about items that are labeled Certified Organic as apposed to Organically Grown. He was saying that Organically Grown only means that there was no pesticides or herbicides used on the plants. It doesn't mean that the soil wasn't treated with those products before planting.
I have listened to a farmer friend of my parents explain some of what he had to go threw to call his produce Organic and I understand the cost of that needs to be passed on to the consumer but it's frustrating to me that the Government isn't doing more to help the farmers that are attempting to grow healthful food instead of hindering their production with extra fees. The farming industry itself is suffering these days as well. It is a lot of work for not as much profit as it used to be and with the growth of cities encroaching on farmland it's harder and harder for these farmers to make a decent living. Many farms that had been past down from generation to generation are being instead sold of to development. Also, unless someone grows up on a farm themselves it's not nearly as likely that they would take it up of their own will. The cost of land and equipment is to much for someone to start out of the blue.
I still don't really know what the cure for this problem is but I have been attempting to at least buy Ontario produce. Not just to help out our own farmers at home but also because there is more nutrients in food that's not traveling as far. I haven't been much for going to the farmers market until now but I think that will need to change. For the most part until lately the majority of the vegetables we would use would be frozen. I am planning to attempt to continue introducing more and more fresh vegetables to our diet.
I'm sure we have all seen the commercials for Ontario produce. You know, "Good things grow in Ontario." So on my last trip to the grocery store I was surprised with the lack of Ontario produce to be found. I searched and searched for the items I was looking for but was unable to find some items like carrots and cauliflower. When you are looking it is amazing to see how far some of our food has traveled. I mean apples from New Zealand? Really? You couldn't find any growing closer to home? With the dry summer we had it was a difficult one for our Ontario farmers. I know their crops weren't what they have been other years so that could be a part of the supply problem. I suppose it might be time for me to bight the bullet and fight the crowds of the farmers market. Grocery shopping is not something I have ever really enjoyed. In fact I don't like to do it much at all. Randall does the majority of our shopping though I have been doing more than before.
With my recent focus on health and wellness I suppose it's time for me to take a more hands on approach to what I'm cooking and eating. It might be time to pull my head out of the sand but it's going to take time and thought and it will be a gradual thing. After all I know I can't afford to buy all organic food right now. I'll just try to be more aware.
Randall was also explaining a bit to me today about items that are labeled Certified Organic as apposed to Organically Grown. He was saying that Organically Grown only means that there was no pesticides or herbicides used on the plants. It doesn't mean that the soil wasn't treated with those products before planting.
I have listened to a farmer friend of my parents explain some of what he had to go threw to call his produce Organic and I understand the cost of that needs to be passed on to the consumer but it's frustrating to me that the Government isn't doing more to help the farmers that are attempting to grow healthful food instead of hindering their production with extra fees. The farming industry itself is suffering these days as well. It is a lot of work for not as much profit as it used to be and with the growth of cities encroaching on farmland it's harder and harder for these farmers to make a decent living. Many farms that had been past down from generation to generation are being instead sold of to development. Also, unless someone grows up on a farm themselves it's not nearly as likely that they would take it up of their own will. The cost of land and equipment is to much for someone to start out of the blue.
I still don't really know what the cure for this problem is but I have been attempting to at least buy Ontario produce. Not just to help out our own farmers at home but also because there is more nutrients in food that's not traveling as far. I haven't been much for going to the farmers market until now but I think that will need to change. For the most part until lately the majority of the vegetables we would use would be frozen. I am planning to attempt to continue introducing more and more fresh vegetables to our diet.
I'm sure we have all seen the commercials for Ontario produce. You know, "Good things grow in Ontario." So on my last trip to the grocery store I was surprised with the lack of Ontario produce to be found. I searched and searched for the items I was looking for but was unable to find some items like carrots and cauliflower. When you are looking it is amazing to see how far some of our food has traveled. I mean apples from New Zealand? Really? You couldn't find any growing closer to home? With the dry summer we had it was a difficult one for our Ontario farmers. I know their crops weren't what they have been other years so that could be a part of the supply problem. I suppose it might be time for me to bight the bullet and fight the crowds of the farmers market. Grocery shopping is not something I have ever really enjoyed. In fact I don't like to do it much at all. Randall does the majority of our shopping though I have been doing more than before.
With my recent focus on health and wellness I suppose it's time for me to take a more hands on approach to what I'm cooking and eating. It might be time to pull my head out of the sand but it's going to take time and thought and it will be a gradual thing. After all I know I can't afford to buy all organic food right now. I'll just try to be more aware.
Rachel - Dave also noticed the lack of Ontario produce in the grocery store recently. It's worth a drive to Herrles on Erb Street for local produce. And there is a list out there somewhere about which foods are worth buying organic.
ReplyDeleteThat would be helpful. Since Randall is on nights right now I might see if he would go with me to the market Thursday or I might try and take the kids before. I forgot about Herrles though. Thanks for the reminder.
ReplyDelete