This is a somewhat touchy question for me. As a certified organic grower (via CCOF), I pay my dues every year for the privilege of using the word ‘Organic’. I follow strict guidelines in order to stay within compliance with USDA’s National Organic Program.
But long before I was certified, I was organic. I never used pesticides or
herbicides. And I wasn’t even growing edibles. I just had a clear understanding that my nursery would have as litle environmental impact as possible, even after my plants left for a new home. This became one of the key missions of Surf City Growers, Inc. But there came a day when we felt that our word was just not enough—that being certified would make all the difference to our customers. Or would it?
One of the strongest reasons, we found, for people to buy our stock had more to do with the fact that we were local than whether or not we were organic. This was especially true for ornamentals, which made up the majority of what we grow. People didn’t seem to care whether or not the plants they put in their gardens were organic or not. On more than one occasion, people would ask me, “Why are you organic?”
The simplest answer goes straight back to our mission that I spoke of before. Most people seem to think that if it’s not going in their mouth, why care? Well, environmental awareness doesn’t need to come to a screeching halt at the gas pump or produce section of your grocery store. Regardless of what we do, it enters the food chain (which we as humans are obviously a link), and eventually, right back to us.
When it comes to food, organic has made a huge surge in popularity. Although organic is still only 3% of total food sales in the U.S., it’s a rapidly growing market. Organic food sales increased from $3.6 billion in 1997 to $21.1 billion in 2008. Sales of organic foods increased annually between 12 and 21 percent during this period as well (Nutrition Business Journal, 2008). Produce and Milk account for approximately half of these numbers. So when trends like these catch the eye of Big Box business, you are sure that they will capitalize: Corporate giants like General Mills, Kellogg’s, and Dean Foods either acquire smaller, more successful organic producers, or find ways to inject their own organic products into the marketplace. Grocery chains also create their own organic labels to compete. These larger companies are what keep ‘organic’ on the shelves of Wal-Mart, Target, and Costco. And with supply so low (organic producers are way behind this rapidly growing demand) these companies are searching abroad to meet the needs of the marketplace.
But now a new panic is setting in for these corporations. It’s something so insidious that they will probably find a way to crush it underfoot if at all possible: Local. But what is ‘locally grown’? Grocery chains have locally grown labeling programs that might include multi-state handlers and producers. People might not realize this, since most consumers consider local products as being produced much closer to home—in their State, within 100 miles of their community (Natural Foods Merchandiser, 2008). This also illustrates why farmers markets have grown in popularity.
People want to keep their money spent on goods and services within their communities. It’s a growing phenomenon that has the big guys in a tizzie. So is locally grown a complement or competion? It depends on what side of the table you are sitting. Local and State infrastructures would benefit for obvious reasons. And since ‘locally grown’ is a loose term, it could mean anything: Within 50 miles, within the state, or even within the borders of our country; there’s no set definition for using ‘locally grown’ in comparison to using ‘organic’. No certification is necessary. So what you might think is not impacting the environment or helping your community might be coming from hundreds of energy miles away and benefitting another community altogether.
So my question is this; Is ‘Locally Grown’ going to fall the way of ‘Natural’? Do we need to somehow define, even certify, what constitutes local?
Or when you pick up that tomato should you just ask where it came from?
Tags: buy local, farmers market, locally grown, organic, organic produce, Organic Shopping, pesticides, USDA
