Organic food claims have changed over the years and how the organic certification system is regulated by USDA has been altered as well.  The claims some companies are making about organic food, coupled with the fact that consumers are often mistakenly melding “organic” with “local,” means that shoppers need to be more aware than ever about just want “organic” means.

Our new series, Tuesdays at 21, launched this spring to foster dialog related to climate change and food systems.  The second session in the series, to be held May 27, is a conversation about food systems and specifically about organic food, entitled, Not Your Parent’s Organic: Is it Time to Panic? The session starts at 6:30 pm for networking and program runs from 7 to 8:30 pm.

The timing of this particular Tuesday at 21 coincides with the 21 Acres Farm Market opening an additional two days a week and continuing through the high season of farming.  The Farm Market carries food that is either Certified Organic or that has been produced by local farmers who use the highest standards of farming within a sustainable system.

Those of you who know Liesl McWhorter, Farm Market Manager, will understand when she says, “We research the source of each item the market carries and we have long standing relationships with our farmers and value-added producers.  It’s important to us to be able to provide the cleanest food available for families, shoppers with compromised immune systems and for the community as a whole.”

Starting May 28, the Market will be open Wednesday through Fridays, 11 am to 6 pm; and Saturdays, 10 am to 4 pm.

Liesl also reminds us, “If consumers are looking for a handy tool to be able to make decisions about what produce they buy that’s organic and what they might buy that’s conventionally farmed, they should certainly look to the Environmental Working Group’s list of the Clean 15 and Dirty Dozen Plus.  The 2014 edition of their free pocket guide was just released.  It’s a great tool anyone can carry when they shop.”

SAVE THE DATE:

June 24 for the next Tuesday at 21

Fossil fuel-free homes: Is this doable? Affordable? What benefits accrue from swapping systems?