Raw Food Labeling - Part 2: Beyond Organics
Welcome to Part 2 of our series on the importance of reading labels on raw food products and produce.
Last time, we talked about the Organics and what it means (and doesn't mean) to be Certified Organic by the USDA. If you missed it, make sure to read Part 1 first.
Today we are going to talk about some of the terms and labels you may come across while shopping for produce, or raw foods products in general, that may be a little confusing at first.
Can it Get Any Better than Organic?
If you thought you could get away with thinking that you're eating the best food by shopping only for organics...think again! Those of us pesky "health nuts" in this raw and natural health movement are never satisfied and are always looking for the next thing. We have come to expect change, and expect growth.
You see, now that organic is a widely used term, people are coming up with new ways of defining what it means to grow their food.
"Well, if Organic isn't the best, what's next?"
Good question! In your raw adventures, you may have ran into certain terms that were unfamiliar to you, such as biodynamic and Certified Naturally Grown.
What is this stuff and is it important?
Let's tackle these terms, Raw Food Right Now style...straight and to the point:
Biodynamic
A few years ago, Heidi and I were at one of our local co-ops shopping for some produce when we ran across some limes labeled "Biodynamic ".
Intrigued, we picked up a bag to try them out. We had no idea what biodynamic really was at the time, but they sure looked nice and plump!
After trying them out for a few days, we realized there was something quite different about them. They had a sort of "energy" to them...hard to describe without getting all metaphysical.
We looked into it and discovered that there's a lot more to Biodynamic than just a fancy name.
Essentially, biodynamic agriculture is a method of organic farming developed by uber-genius Rudolf Steiner back in the 20's. The concept is quite deep, but in essence, biodynamic farming treats the land, the animals, the plants...everything together as a sort of individual entity.
Confused? Don't be. Read up on it on the Biodynamic and Gardening Association's website for the fully monty on this incredible farming practice.
Some are still not convinced that biodynamic agriculture is any better than organic. Either way, ou personal experience has been that the energy and nutrient density of the food is a step up from organic, but still is a small step down from wild foods. Not quite wild, but certainly not ordinary.
Certified Naturally Grown - Poor Man's Organic?
Picture yourself a happy, small-time farmer who loves your land, what you grow, and has not seen a pesticide or herbacide in 15 years...yet each time the USDA comes around telling you that you need to pay up or quit calling you stuff "organic", you can't cough up the cash.
What's a conscious farmer to do?
Why, get rescued by Certified Naturally Grown (CNG), of course!
Think of CNG as organic, without the fancy USDA stamp of approval. According to the CNG's website, Certified Naturally Grown is:
"a non-profit alternative certification program tailored for small-scale, direct-market farmers using natural methods." Very cool. But you are probably asking this important question "But how do I know these guys have the goods to certify the stuff I put in my mouth?"
Again, good question! Right now CNG has certified nearly 500 farms in 47 states in the USA, with more growing everyday. The certification standards for being CNG certified are pretty strict, maybe even more so than organic. The only real difference, is that it lets the farmer have a "work around" if they are unable (or unwilling) to get certified organic by the USDA.
CNG was created with the small, conscious farmer in mind. When you see their label, you can be assured that it's probably even cleaner than USDA organic food. Check out their well done FAQ for more answers.
To see an example of a CNG farmer, visit one of our local Minnesota farmer's websites who has been certified with CNG: http://www.greenearthgrowers.net
TruGanic?
Both Heidi and I are big fans of Jameth Sheridan's incredible products from Healthforce Nutritionals,especially Vitamineral Green, we were fascinated when recently over at their site, we saw an interesting new term make its appearance:TruGanic.
What is TruGanic?
Jameth describes TruGanic as:
"a purist, hard-core quality standard significantly beyond Organic. In addition to no pesticides being used anywhere in the growing process, TruGanic™ includes authentic standards for production, non-toxic cleaning agents and pest control, electromagnetic radiation, processing agents, additives, air quality, and actual verification of purity." Oh man, not only does this guy continually update his products to be the best he can possibly make them with his latest research, but his dedication to quality goes evenbeyondjust the growing methods is more than admirable...it's astonishing.
Healthforce is a company of true integrity and product quality. We are hoping that TruGanic will catch on. Keep your eyes on this company, and on other companies who will adopt the TruGanic label.
USDA Organic is an excellent step in the right direction, but people on the leading edge of health and nutrition like those of us in the raw food movement are always demanding increasing methods of quality. We are blessed to have someone like Jameth Sheridan keeping himself up at night coming up with better and better ways to make our food the best food ever.
"Organic" only covers agriculture, and with what we learned in our last post, it doesn't even need to be 100% organic to be labeled as such. That's why people like Jameth are working on the next level of food quality, such as TruGanic. Don't wait for the US government to set up a TruGanic certification program anytime soon! That's why it's good to become aware and conscious of where you food is coming from and those involved in creating it.
Now, This is Not an Opportunity to Become Obsessed
One caveat: Always striving for and demanding the best in our food is (and should be) commended in every way, but this is not an opportunity to get obsessed.
We kindly suggest that you become aware of these terms and methods, read up, and educate yourself. Above all, always do the best you can. You don't want to starve just because you can't find "the most perfect food". That would be silly. Didn't your grandma live to be 95, smoking and eating meat every day?
When you're hungry and you just want to make some guacamole, go ahead and grab those nice looking conventional avocados at your local supermarket. You'll survive.
We're far from perfect and we're still alive...and thriving!
If you are concerned, we recommend you let your co-ops, farmers, and supermarkets know that you are a conscious food consumer and you want more options like biodynamic and CNG foods. They will listen because you are the customer and you have money that you want to spend in their store. Money is your only true vote so make it count.
Enjoy Where This is Going? There's More!
Coming up in Part 3: Can your products now be labeled "certified raw"?
We have found one man who says "YES!"
~ JS
P.S. Bonus tip: When you are at your farmers market, you can always ask the farmers if they spray. It's a nice way of asking if your food is organic from those that don't have the USDA certification. And if they don't, point them to the Certified Naturally Grown website.
---------------------------
If you plan on reprinting this article on your website or newsletter, please include the following credit and link:
Heidi & JS Ohlander are the creators of Raw Food, Right Now!, a website dedicated to making the raw food diet fun and easy for everyone. Heidi & JS help bring raw food to your world by offering tips, news, and information on integrating raw foods into your daily life. You can find out more by going to www.rawfoodrightnow.com
|
Raw Food Labeling - Part 2: Beyond Organics
Welcome to Part 2 of our series on the importance of reading labels on raw food products and produce.
Last time, we talked about the Organics and what it means (and doesn't mean) to be Certified Organic by the USDA. If you missed it, make sure to read Part 1 first.
Today we are going to talk about some of the terms and labels you may come across while shopping for produce, or raw foods products in general, that may be a little confusing at first.
Can it Get Any Better than Organic?
If you thought you could get away with thinking that you're eating the best food by shopping only for organics...think again! Those of us pesky "health nuts" in this raw and natural health movement are never satisfied and are always looking for the next thing. We have come to expect change, and expect growth.
You see, now that organic is a widely used term, people are coming up with new ways of defining what it means to grow their food.
"Well, if Organic isn't the best, what's next?"
Good question! In your raw adventures, you may have ran into certain terms that were unfamiliar to you, such as biodynamic and Certified Naturally Grown.
What is this stuff and is it important?
Let's tackle these terms, Raw Food Right Now style...straight and to the point:
Biodynamic
A few years ago, Heidi and I were at one of our local co-ops shopping for some produce when we ran across some limes labeled "Biodynamic ".
Intrigued, we picked up a bag to try them out. We had no idea what biodynamic really was at the time, but they sure looked nice and plump!
After trying them out for a few days, we realized there was something quite different about them. They had a sort of "energy" to them...hard to describe without getting all metaphysical.
We looked into it and discovered that there's a lot more to Biodynamic than just a fancy name.
Essentially, biodynamic agriculture is a method of organic farming developed by uber-genius Rudolf Steiner back in the 20's. The concept is quite deep, but in essence, biodynamic farming treats the land, the animals, the plants...everything together as a sort of individual entity.
Confused? Don't be. Read up on it on the Biodynamic and Gardening Association's website for the fully monty on this incredible farming practice.
Some are still not convinced that biodynamic agriculture is any better than organic. Either way, ou personal experience has been that the energy and nutrient density of the food is a step up from organic, but still is a small step down from wild foods. Not quite wild, but certainly not ordinary.
Certified Naturally Grown - Poor Man's Organic?
Picture yourself a happy, small-time farmer who loves your land, what you grow, and has not seen a pesticide or herbacide in 15 years...yet each time the USDA comes around telling you that you need to pay up or quit calling you stuff "organic", you can't cough up the cash.
What's a conscious farmer to do?
Why, get rescued by Certified Naturally Grown (CNG), of course!
Think of CNG as organic, without the fancy USDA stamp of approval. According to the CNG's website, Certified Naturally Grown is:
Very cool. But you are probably asking this important question "But how do I know these guys have the goods to certify the stuff I put in my mouth?"
Again, good question! Right now CNG has certified nearly 500 farms in 47 states in the USA, with more growing everyday. The certification standards for being CNG certified are pretty strict, maybe even more so than organic. The only real difference, is that it lets the farmer have a "work around" if they are unable (or unwilling) to get certified organic by the USDA.
CNG was created with the small, conscious farmer in mind. When you see their label, you can be assured that it's probably even cleaner than USDA organic food. Check out their well done FAQ for more answers.
To see an example of a CNG farmer, visit one of our local Minnesota farmer's websites who has been certified with CNG: http://www.greenearthgrowers.net
TruGanic?
Both Heidi and I are big fans of Jameth Sheridan's incredible products from Healthforce Nutritionals,especially Vitamineral Green, we were fascinated when recently over at their site, we saw an interesting new term make its appearance:TruGanic.
What is TruGanic?
Jameth describes TruGanic as:
Oh man, not only does this guy continually update his products to be the best he can possibly make them with his latest research, but his dedication to quality goes evenbeyondjust the growing methods is more than admirable...it's astonishing.
Healthforce is a company of true integrity and product quality. We are hoping that TruGanic will catch on. Keep your eyes on this company, and on other companies who will adopt the TruGanic label.
USDA Organic is an excellent step in the right direction, but people on the leading edge of health and nutrition like those of us in the raw food movement are always demanding increasing methods of quality. We are blessed to have someone like Jameth Sheridan keeping himself up at night coming up with better and better ways to make our food the best food ever.
"Organic" only covers agriculture, and with what we learned in our last post, it doesn't even need to be 100% organic to be labeled as such. That's why people like Jameth are working on the next level of food quality, such as TruGanic. Don't wait for the US government to set up a TruGanic certification program anytime soon! That's why it's good to become aware and conscious of where you food is coming from and those involved in creating it.
Now, This is Not an Opportunity to Become Obsessed
One caveat: Always striving for and demanding the best in our food is (and should be) commended in every way, but this is not an opportunity to get obsessed.
We kindly suggest that you become aware of these terms and methods, read up, and educate yourself. Above all, always do the best you can. You don't want to starve just because you can't find "the most perfect food". That would be silly. Didn't your grandma live to be 95, smoking and eating meat every day?
When you're hungry and you just want to make some guacamole, go ahead and grab those nice looking conventional avocados at your local supermarket. You'll survive.
We're far from perfect and we're still alive...and thriving!
If you are concerned, we recommend you let your co-ops, farmers, and supermarkets know that you are a conscious food consumer and you want more options like biodynamic and CNG foods. They will listen because you are the customer and you have money that you want to spend in their store. Money is your only true vote so make it count.
Enjoy Where This is Going? There's More!
Coming up in Part 3: Can your products now be labeled "certified raw"?
We have found one man who says "YES!"
~ JS
P.S. Bonus tip: When you are at your farmers market, you can always ask the farmers if they spray. It's a nice way of asking if your food is organic from those that don't have the USDA certification. And if they don't, point them to the Certified Naturally Grown website.
---------------------------
If you plan on reprinting this article on your website or newsletter, please include the following credit and link:
Heidi & JS Ohlander are the creators of Raw Food, Right Now!, a website dedicated to making the raw food diet fun and easy for everyone. Heidi & JS help bring raw food to your world by offering tips, news, and information on integrating raw foods into your daily life. You can find out more by going to www.rawfoodrightnow.com