The importance of Organic Re: sources for middle TN -Katja

[Guest guest]

Nanette and Katja,

I'm of two minds here. First, I am well aware that certified organic meat

and produce does not automatically equal high quality. For instance, beef

that is fed organic grain is not my idea of good beef, but it is organic, so

to speak. If I know the farmer and how he produces his product, I don't

give a rat's a** if he is certified or not. Certification is expensive,

isn't it? And Katja, is there any truth in the claim that the certification

process benefits the big companies that have jumped on the bandwagon

(Horizon, e.g.) while making it harder for the little guys? I'd love to

hear your thoughts on this.

> For instance, I know of a store that

> claims all their meat is certified organic (although no certification is

> posted anywhere, and he doesn't have stickers that say such). When asked

> the source of the meat, the store owner told us. A consumer called, and

> it's nothing other than feed-lot beef!! The farm that was contacted said,

> " No way we aren't organic. Costs too much. "

Well, first of all, this is illegal. If I were you, I would have a talk

with him about health concerns you have about conventional meat and how it

is very important that he makes it clear to his customers what he is

selling. Breast cancer survivors, for instance, need to avoid all meat and

dairy that has been treated with hormones and antibiotics. You don't want

to antagonize him, just get him on your side. Maybe try to source some GOOD

meat for him and (with others who patronize the store) show him that there

is a market for higher quality, more expensive meat.