Making Sense of Food Labeling

Natural. Free-range. Cage-free. Grain-fed. Hormone-Free. Antibiotic-Free. These marketing buzz-words mean no than the “miracle” health elixirs sold off the back of wagons in the 1850’s. They are simply suggested terms that imply goodness and make you feel better about what you are consuming to build brand loyalty. Oftentimes manufacturers will do everything they can do to offer the impression that they have your best interest in mind, but actually do the opposite to gain market share and increase profit. A good business model actually, but not great if you are a consumer trying to get to the bottom of what you are actually eating.

Here is a quick example (link) by Michael Pollan showing how we can bypass the maze of the processed and find real food.

 

Community Supported Agriculture

Community Supported Agriculture, or CSA, referrers to a particular group of individuals who support one or more local farms by sharing in the benefits of their harvest.

Typically, at the beginning of the season, subscriptions are sold by a farm or cooperative for a weekly food box either delivered or to be picked up. Oftentimes, starting in May, and ending around Thanksgiving, members can receive a variety of vegetables, lettuces, meats, eggs or fruit. The price per week can vary from $25 up to $100 and can feed a family for several meals and supplement your visits to the grocery store.

CSA memberships will provide fresh nutrient dense freshly harvested foods in a convenient and accessible way. Here are a few that we recommend:

Kawartha CSA
Stoddart’s Family Farm
Twin Creeks Farm
Everdale Farm
Vicki’s Veggies