Farming Facts

We know how many labels and brands are out there in the markets. Sometimes, it is just as confusing for us! The flashy logos, labels, and promises that what you are buying is healthy, natural, and humane are everywhere and not always true. That's why we have a few facts and sources we would like to share with you. Enjoy!


Definitions

Organic - Official definition of organic agriculture: Organic foods have been produced without the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, or synthetic fertilizers, and cannot be genetically modified or radiated. Organic poultry, dairy, meat, and eggs are produced without the use of growth horomones, or antibiotics, and are humanely raised and slaughtered. This definition does not, however, reflect the nutritional value of the food. Source: Read It Before You Eat It, by Bonnie Taub-Dix, MA, RD, CDN

Natural - We have found so many contradicting definitions of "natural" or "all natural." There seems to be so many different ways of labeling a product "natural" or "all natural", that there is no pure way of defining it.

Regardless, here is the way we define "natural" and "all natural":

A product containing no artificial ingredient or added color and is only minimally processed. Minimal processing means that the product was processed in a manner that does not fundamentally alter the product. The label must include a statement explaining the meaning of the term natural (such as "no artificial ingredients; minimally processed"). Source: United States Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service: Food Labeling/Meat and Poultry Labeling Terms: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/factsheets/meat_&_poultry_labeling_terms/index.asp


Food for Thought

When we have time to sit back and relax on the farm, drinking sweet tea after a long hot day of mowing in the field, or bundling up in a favorite quilt next to the fire on a cold winter day, we love to crack open a good book and read. Here are some of our favorite reads. We would love to compare notes!


Read It Before You Eat It, by Bonnie Taub-Dix, MA, RD, CDN


The Dirty Life, by Kristin Kimball