Shopper's guide to buying organic

From Impact News, March 27, 2009...

Buying organic typically costs 30 to 50 percent more than buying non-organic produce, but Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit Washington D.C.-based public health research and advocacy group, reports the steeper price may be worth it — particularly for those who may be more susceptible to the pesticides in produce such as pregnant women and young children. Even after being washed, some produce consistently carries higher levels of pesticide residue than others.

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Reasons you should go organic

From KXAN, August 10, 2008...

1. Organic food delivers more nutrition. Studies have repeatedly found increased levels of some nutrients in various organic foods. "That means more nutritional quality per calorie and food serving," explains Dr. Charles Benbrook, chief scientist at the Organic Center for Education and Promotion in Greenfield, Massachusetts...

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Want Organic Produce? Grow Your Own!

Since we had a discussion in the Overlook Estates Post recently about buying organic foods, I thought the following would be particularly interesting to the neighborhood.

I regularly listen to Growning Concerns on KUT and have posted interesting clips from the program both here and at the Hill Country Voice. This week, there was an extremely interesting program about an Organic Food conference being held at the Hilton Conference Center in College Station, February 1-3.

One of the conference organizers, and the current president of The Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, Brad Stufflebeam, made some very interesting statements about organic farming.

First, it is very profitable. Organic farmers around the Austin area who are selling directly to the consumer are currently grossing $20k to $28k per acre! Compare that with about $500/acre for conventional farming.

Second it does not take a very large farm to make a lot of money. Just 10 to 20 acres.

Third, for organic farming "small" farming is a more sustainable model than "large" farming. Whereas the Agricultural Department is advising farmers to "get big or get out," Brad's advice is to "get small and stay in!"

And fourth, "the ultimate way to know the quality and safety of the food you eat is to grow it yourself."

Hmmmm.... Anyone want to start an organic farm?! Even if you don't have this desire, you need to listen to this podcast and maybe attend the conference!

Also in this podcast, Brad Stufflebeam mentions another interesting concept - Community Supported Agriculture or CSA. Check out this concept at the US Department of Agriculture!

--Rusty

Greenling Organic Delivery

Hello all,

I was reading in the Austin American Statesman today about a company that delivers local and organic produce, meats, milk, etc. It is called Greenling Organic Delivery. Their prices are comparable to Whole Foods Market and Central Market. The website is http://www.greenling.com/ . The only problem is that they do not deliver to Leander yet. They deliver to Cedar Park. I sent them in my info and it says on the website that if enough people from a certain area inquire into delivery service than they might be able to deliver outside of their normal delivery area.
Just thought I might send this out in case anyone else is interested.

Thanks,
Jennifer