Body Organic
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Transcript of Body Organic
“It really boils down to this: that all life is interrelated … whatever affects one
directly, affects all indirectly.”
– Martin Luther King, Jr.
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Teague Organic Valley family farm, NC
The Holter Organic Valley family farm, MD
OOrganic farmers work with
nature. Organic agriculture uniquely
focuses on improving and protecting the
core of our food system: soil health, water
quality and biodiversity.
Organic agriculture protects farmers and
farm workers from exposure to harmful
chemicals, as well as eaters who benefit
from cleaner, more nutritious food.
Cut through the clutter of confusing
food labels. Only the “USDA Organic”
label gives us legal assurance—through
third-party inspection and certification—
that no antibiotics,
synthetic hormones,
sewage sludge, ir-
radiation, synthetic pesticides or petro-
leum-based fertilizers were used in our
food production. Choosing organic food
is also our best way to avoid genetically
modified (GMO) ingredients.
No other product label delivers a stronger
set of growing and production guidelines.
When you purchase foods with the USDA
Organic label, you’re choosing products
with the highest, most rigorous standards.
Plus, you’re voting with your food dollars
for farmers who go the extra mile to protect
our environment for future generations.
We all live downstream and value safe
water, air and food.
Ever wonder why organic food sales thrive and drive the market?
Smart farmers and savvy eaters!
W HOL E YOU, W HOL E E A R T H, W HOL E SOME ! healthy soil > healthy plants > healthy animals > healthy people > healthy planet
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“ Everything that happens in our environment happens to us, even if we don’t know it yet.”
– Celine Cousteau, American Public Health
Association Annual Meeting, Philadelphia
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ORG A NIC AGRIC ULT URE F E E DS T HE P E OPL E , P RO T E C T S OUR HE A LT H & E N V IRONME N T
& F IGH T S CL IM AT E CH A NGE
R esearch shows increased yields
and steadily improved soil quality
when organic farming systems are adopted.
Plus, organic farming practices, including
composting and cover crops, result in
soils that are less likely to erode, and are
better able to hold onto water during a
drought. Organic soils, especially organic
pasture, also show improved ability to
“sequester” or store carbon, which helps
reduce global climate change.
Organic agriculture can feed the world. In fact, the United Nation’s
Food and Agriculture Organization recommends organic farming to
help fight hunger and tackle climate change.
The Ranck Organic Valley family farm, PA
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In addition to enhanced soil quality, organic
farming also boosts biodiversity. How? By
not using synthetic pesticides and fertilizers
and by adopting wildlife-friendly farming
techniques. Increased biodiversity is a
win-win for farmers and wildlife—with
an average of 30% more biodiversity on
organic farms compared to conventional1
—organic farmers benef it from higher
yields and wildlife enjoys ideal habitat.
According to the Organic Center and
USDA f igures, more than one billion
pounds of pesticides are applied to crops
each year in the U.S. alone. Along with
synthetic fertilizers, these fossil-fuel-
based chemicals deplete our soil, pollute
our environment and bodies, and further
contribute to global climate change.
Good news: Consumer demand for organic
food can drive agricultural policies and
practices, resulting in better health for
people and planet. Organic Works!
“The destiny of nations depends on how they nourish themselves.”
– Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin , 1755-1826
The Johnston OV family farm, OR The Bontrager OV family farm, WI
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A
TA K ING C A RE OF YOU F ROM T HE INSIDE OU T: YOUR ORG A NIC P E ACE OF MIND
A r e v ie w of t he r e se a rc h
shows that average levels of 11
nutrients are 25% higher in organic
foods compared to conventional2 and
that organic fruits and vegetables are
about 30% higher in health-protecting
antioxidants, thanks in part to nutrient-
rich organic soils3. Because of mandatory
time spent on pasture, organic animals
provide milk and meat with higher levels
of beneficial essential fats, such as heart-
healthy conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and
Omega-3. In fact, eating a diet of organic
dairy, meat and eggs and some fish enhances
the nutritional quality of breast milk—up to
36% higher levels of CLA4. In addition, the av-
erage American's Omega-6 to Omega-3 intake
ratio is a range of 10:1 to 15:1 when,
in fact, it should be closer to 3:1 for
optimal health. To reap the benefits
of a healthier balance of Omega fatty acids, eat
a diet of organic dairy, meat and eggs and some
fish and stay away from high Omega-6 foods,
especially corn and vegetable oils5.
Most important, organic food and
farming helps protect our most vul-
nerable loved ones—our children—
from exposures to harmful chemicals.
Researchers at the University of Wash-
ington discovered simply switching chil-
dren from a conventional to an organic
diet resulted in a dramatic drop in high-risk
organophosphate insecticides, or break-
down products in the children's urine—to
non-detectable levels within just a few days6.
The President’s Cancer Panel Report
specifically recommends choosing food
grown or produced without chemical
fertilizers, antibiotics, synthetic pesticides
and growth-hormones7—that’s organic!
You already know the bountiful benefits of exercise, meditation, and fresh
fruits and vegetables. Now, take the next step to peace of mind: embrace
organic food and farming for a higher level of holistic healing.
“We need to protect our children at critical times of their development.”
– Linda Birnbaum, Director of the National
Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.
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SIMPL E S T E P S T O G O ( A ND GROW ) ORG A NIC! It’s a Movement ... like a dance, take it one step at a time.
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1 R E A D L A B E L SLook for the trustworthy USDA Organic label, but beware of imposters. “Natural” may sound good, but it has no legal definition. For example, the “natural” label on meat and poultry simply applies to post-slaughter processing. Only certified organic meat, poultry, dairy and eggs assures you the animals received no hormones, antibiotics or genetically modified feed produced with synthetic pesticides.
G E T C O O K I N G Invite your children and friends into your kitchen and share the fun.
G R O W Y O U R O W NWhen we grow, prepare and preserve some of our own food, we get to enjoy and share the fruits of our labor and rest assured knowing the real story behind our food.
V O T E A N D I N V E S T ! Think of your food dollars as votes for, and investments in, your bright, healthy future. Go organic!
“What we are calling for is ... a real Delicious Revolution.”
– Alice Waters
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“The eyes of the future are looking back at us and they are praying for us
to see beyond our own time.” – Terry Tempest Williams, Naturalist
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The Shepard Organic Valley family farm, WI
Beyond Pesticides: www.beyondpesticides.org
Beyond the Plate: www.organicvalley.coop/community/beyond-the-plate
Consumer Reports, “Greener Choices”: www.greenerchoices.org
Environmental Health Perspectives Journal: www.ehponline.org
Environmental Working Group: www.ewg.org
Green America: www.greenamericatoday.org
Healthy Child, Healthy World: www.healthychild.org
Pesticide Action Network, “What’s On My Food?”: www.panna.org
The Organic Center: www.organic-center.org
The Rodale Institute: www.rodaleinstitute.org
Union of Concerned Scientists: www.ucsusa.org/food_and_agriculture
Organic Valley: www.organicvalley.coop/why-organic/overview
Organic Prairie: www.organicprairie.coop/whyorganic/our-7-step-safety-net
YOUR RIGH T T O K NOW Learn more, stay informed and tell your friends about
the benefits of organic food and farming.
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R E F E R E N C E S[ 1 ] Blakemore, R.J. “Ecology of earthworms under the ‘Haughly experiment’ of organic and conventional management
regimes.” Biological Agriculture and Horticulture. 2000: 18 (141-59). http://bio-eco.eis.ynu.ac.jp/eng/database/earthworm/Haughley%5CHaughley.pdf
[ 2 ] Benbrook, C., et. al. “State of Science Review: New evidence supports the nutritional superiority of organic plant-based foods.” March 2008. The Organic Center. www.organic-center.org/science.tocreports.html
[ 3 ] Benbrook, C. “State of Science Review: Elevating antioxidant levels in food through organic farming and food processing.” January 2005. The Organic Center. www.organic-center.org/science.tocreports.html
[ 4 ] Rist, L., et. al. “Influence of organic diet on the amount of conjugated linoleic acids in breast milk of lactating women in the Netherlands.” British Journal of Nutrition. April 2007.
[ 5 ] Russo, Gian L. “Dietary n S 6 and n S 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids: From biochemistry to clinical implications in cardiovascular prevention.” Biochemical Pharmacology. 2009. 77 (937-46). Elsevier.
[ 6 ] Lu, Chensheng, et. al. “Organic diets significantly lower children’s dietary exposure to organophosphorus pesticides.” Environmental Health Perspectives. 2006. 114:2. www.ehponline.org/ambra-doi-resolver/10.1289/ehp.8418
[ 7 ] Reuben, Suzanne H. “Reducing environmental cancer risk: What we can do now.” 2008-2009 President’s Cancer Panel Annual Report. April 2010. (112). http://deainfo.nci.nih.gov/advisory/pcp/pcp08-09rpt/PCP_Report_08-09_508.pdf
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Printed on New Leaf Imagination, FSC certified, 100% PC recycled paper. | © Organic Valley 2014-41014 SPJ-SO2219
A BOU T T HE AU T HOR :
Melinda Hemmelgarn, m.s., r.d. is a registered dietitian, investigative
nutritionist, and award-winning journalist with more than 30 years’
experience in clinical, academic and public health nutrition. Known
nationally as the “Food Sleuth,” she connects the dots between food,
health and agriculture, and helps consumers “think beyond their plates.”
She is a tireless advocate and strong voice for organic food and farming,
social and environmental justice and food system literacy.
Re a d her c ol umns AT :
www.organicvalley.coop/community/
beyond-the-plate
> T O O R D E R F R E E C O P I E S of this booklet and other materials, visit: www.organicvalley.coop/bodyorganic
Education Series