How to Be a Conscientious Food Shopper

Who doesn't want to be an educated, healthy and socially responsible consumer? But we're overwhelmed by choices, too much information and, often, too much misinformation. Here Nell Newman (activist for sustainable and organic agriculture - and Paul's daughter) helps you make smart decisions for your family.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Taking Action

1. Get informed about how to eat healthily and responsibly, as well as on the latest issues in food production, by subscribing to magazines and newsletters devoted to the subject. A few of my favorites are Healthy Living, Vegetarian Times and Veggie Life.

2. Write or e-mail the U.S. Department of Agriculture or Food and Drug Administration and urge them to adopt more stringent guidelines for organic food production and labeling. I also believe we should urge these agencies to implement a moratorium on raising genetically altered foods and crops in the field until the effects on the environment and agriculture have been determined. (See Tips below for contact information.)

3. Let your voice be heard about product labeling. The FDA has created a special avenue for collecting public concerns on safety evaulating and food product labeling of food derived from bioengineered plant varieties and other means of relaying information to the public about bioengineered products. (See Tips below for contact informaion.)

Finding the Good Stuff

4. Buy organic - especially certified organic - foods, which are less likely to contain chemicals that are harmful to people and the environment. Look for wording on the label that specifies which organization certified the organic practices. Some of the largest organizations are Oregon Tilth, Farm Verified Organic, Quality Assurance International, and California Certified Organic Farmers.

5. Look for companies that support sustainable agriculture - a virtue that is sometimes highlighted on the label. Newman's Own Organics, for example, does its best to purchase foods that are grown in such as way that they have minimal negative effect on the environment.

6. Seek out foods companies that contribute at least a portion of their products to charity. Sometimes companies put this information on their label. But usually you just have to keep your eyes out for this information by reading newspapers and news magazines, as well as food-related publications or researching on the Internet.

7. Grow your own. An organic vegetable and herb garden not only gives you loads of fresh, organic foods inexpensively, it also gives you a deeper understanding of your food source and our intimate relationship with the earth.

Tips & Warnings

• Want to avoid foods that have been genetically engineered? There are no regulations governing the labeling of foods containing genetically altered crops or meats, so there are no guarantees. However, if you buy organic foods, you're less likely to consume foods that are genetically altered.
• The after-tax profits of Newman's Own and Newman's Own Organics go to worthy causes and Newman's Own Organics alone has generated about $1 million to organizations involved in protecting the environment.
• Don't be taken in by packaging and marketing. Just because a label is in earth tones, or has a drawing of the planet, doesn't mean the product is any healthier or was produced any more socially responsiblly than any other product.
• In fact, take all label claims of social responsibility with a grain of salt. There are few laws governing such claims, so read carefully and skeptically.

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on 6/30/2006 Buy locally! By supporting local agriculture, you're supporting wider ranges of food grown in your area. You're not wasting fossil fuels to bring those grapes up from Chile. You're more likely to get fresher produce that is in season. Because it doesn't have far to go, it's more likely to be picked when ripe, instead of early. If you're in the USA, you know that the farm is following government guidelines.