Organic food?

[Jelliebean]

Is it easy to get organic food in the USA? Is there a big market for it? Do you get lotsof choices in the supermarket if you want to go organic? Is it easy to get organic milk? Are there lots of chemicals in meat in the USA? Just curious as I don't have a clue.

[Alexis_US]

Hi Jelliebean,

It really depends on where you live. I live in a moderately-sized city (3 million in the metro area) and there are dozens of co-ops, as well as a chain store called Whole Foods, which specializes in organic food.
As you may know, there is a lot of controversy surrounding genetically modified foods. I understand the UK is determined to avoid these scary creatures. A great idea in my opinion. In the US, there is a great deal of ignorance as to the harm of these products. Unfortunately, we are not forced to label foods "GM." So you never realy know.
(Oops, sorry for the digression, I guess it's just in the zeitgeist right now, can't help it.)
I have lived in other US cities where it is more difficult to find organic foods. There are surprisingly few organic food stores in New York, for example. Many grocery stores integrate organic foods into their stock, but it is still challenging. It is fairly difficult to find these kinds of things in rural areas, unless you live near an organic farm or are in California.

What about in Scotland? I imagine organic farming is more commonplace in Europe, but maybe I am wrong.

Jellibean, I'm curious to hear about organics in Scotland. I've been dying to ask all sorts of agricultural questions pertaining to Scotland, but didn't know where to post them.

"Is it easy to get organic food in the USA?"

Depends upon where you live. I live in a state with a strong organic association (Maine Organic Farmers' and Gardeners' Association), so organic produce is available at farmer's markets and some of the huge chain-groceries, as well as at food co-operatives, natural food stores, and specialty food stores.

Unfortunately, organic foods cost more. I think if there was more demand, then it would be available more widely. Considering that wages are so low in Maine (There are some similarities between Maine and the Highlands.) people often buy what they can afford.

There are vast swaths of the country where organic produce/foods are not available. I was back in Ohio to visit my family on one of those infrequent trips, and couldn't find organic produce/food at the giant, local, grocery chainstore. This is a HUGE city with no storefront co-op. That says a lot.

In some parts of the US, CSAs are taking off. That's an acronym for "Community Supported Agriculture". The way it works is... at the beginning of the growing season, you pay an amount for a "share" of the farmer's produce. This ensures that the farmer has money in advance for operating expenses. It's not as convenient as going down to Tesco/Shop N' Save, but you can see where your produce comes from. It also helps support organic agriculture.

"Is there a big market for it?"

There's a growing market. I used to work at food co-operatives back before there was much US awareness of food issues. I've had mixed feelings about finding tiny natural food sections popping up in the mega-stores around the country. It's great that more people have ready access, but it also means that co-operatives sometimes get pushed out of business.

"Do you get lots of choices in the supermarket if you want to go organic?"

Depends upon where you live. Any "hip" town/city (San Francisco, California; Seattle, Washingon; Portland, Maine and Oregon; Madison, Wisconsin; Oberlin, Ohio; Boston, Massachusetts; Austin, Texas; Burlington, Vermont; etc...) will have at least on food co-op and/or natural food store. There are also "hip" pockets in rural areas... like much of rural Vermont and Maine. If an area has a reputation for being progressive, you're more likely to find organic produce/food. There are also areas with high concentrations of certain religious groups that will have more organics available.

"Is it easy to get organic milk?"

It sure is if you live in Vermont! I used to live down the road from a farmer who produced organic milk with the help of a lovely herd of Jerseys. Too bad I have a dairy allergy. I think it might be easy to get organic milk in any of the dairy states. It's also available at natural foodstores and co-ops, and is even starting to show up in regular groceries. Still.. it depends on what part of the country you live in.

"Are there lots of chemicals in meat in the USA?"

Yes. Antibiotics and growth hormones. There are more people raising organic livestock, but it's not as readily available as organic produce.

[Alexis_US]

Oh yes, I live in a dairy state, and yes, even the chain stores sell organic milk, eggs, butter, etc...
By the way, Sonsie, you missed Minneapolis on your list of "hip cities." An oversight, I am sure.

But do the chainstores sell organics outside Minneapolis? You must tell me all about Minneapolis... I had no idea it was a "hip" city!

[Jelliebean]

Thanks a lot for the replies. It's pretty much the same in Scotland I guess. You have shops that sell only organic and the big chain supermarkets do special deals often with local suppliers. Sainsbury's has a wide range and Iceland promises to sell organic frozen veggies by next year. The prices have come down a lot. We also have farming co-ops but not that many. It scares me the stuff that gets injected into meat and meat-based products and the way animals are fed and kept. It's a funny thing about organically pasteurised milk though, it seems to last twice as long without going off than ordinary-type milk. Hmmm makes you wonder why 'normal' milk only lasts a few days. Anyway I think I should read some books on it. thanks again

[Alexis_US]

Jelliebean,
That surprises me: I was under the impression that the US was far behind Europe in regards to hormone use in meat. Sad to hear that isn't the case!

Sonsie,
Yes, even way out in the 'burbs they have organic stuff. There is a quite a lot of organic farming in Minnesota and Wisconsin.