Organic Meat and Poultry and Food Justice

By Caroline Anderson June 1, 2023 18 mins read 72 Views

Food justice is a movement that works to create a sustainable food system where everyone has access to healthy and culturally appropriate foods. It also addresses racial and economic inequities within our food system.

People of color face the highest rates of diet-related illnesses, poor food access and a host of other issues related to the food system. These inequities are often caused by structural systems that have been created and maintained through discriminatory practices.

What is food justice?

Food justice is the idea that we should all have access to healthy, affordable foods. It focuses on addressing systemic issues that contribute to food insecurity and food inequality, including racial, gender, and economic injustices.

A key aspect of food justice is ensuring equal opportunity for everyone involved in the food production process. This includes family farms, small businesses, and workers. This could include supporting unions, expanding access to new technology, or advocating for policies that bolster small businesses and check corporate influence in the food system.

Another key component of food justice is reclaiming and rebuilding indigenous culture, food systems, and relationships with the land. This involves building community-based organizations, working to reclaim native land, and restoring localized food systems.

These efforts can be supported by a range of organizations and communities. Some, like the Detroit Black Community Food Security Network, focus on improving food access and empowering youth through food education, farming, and public policy.

A similar movement is food sovereignty, which emphasizes reclaiming native land, restoring indigenous food systems, and reclaiming Indigenous health. Examples include Minnesota-based chef Sean Sherman and White Earth Land Recovery Network/Native Harvest, which are reestablishing Native foodways and rebuilding relationships with the land. These groups also support localized food systems, such as regenerative farming practices and cover cropping.

How is food justice related to organic meat and poultry?

Food justice is about creating a world where everyone has access to healthy and culturally relevant foods. It has agricultural, economic and political precursors and ramifications, but the basic premise is that food is a fundamental human right and should be available to everyone without any barriers.

Achieving food justice means deconstructing how intersecting oppressions reduce food access, such as racial and economic inequity. These include poverty, income inequality and a lack of safe and affordable food options.

For example, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) populations experience disproportionate levels of hunger, illness and poverty due to persistent discriminatory social, political and economic structures. Often, they live in communities that have minimal access to fresh food, relying instead on convenience stores for cheaper, less nutritious foods.

On the farms themselves, many workers are underpaid, mistreated and exploited. They also have few legal protections and are more likely to face workplace violence, sexual abuse and wage theft.

A growing number of farmers and retailers are committing to fair labor and trade standards through certification programs. These are important because they can help ensure that farm workers and their families are treated with dignity, respect and justice.

How can understanding food justice issues help me make more ethical and sustainable choices when purchasing organic meat and poultry?

Food justice is the process of reclaiming access to healthy, culturally appropriate foods and ensuring that those who have been marginalized have a voice in the food system. It is an approach that confronts structural racism and discrimination. It is based on the belief that access to food should not be determined by race, class or gender, but should be a basic human right.

In the US, food justice organizations seek to empower marginalized communities by reclaiming their food sovereignty and rights. This includes fighting for equal opportunities in the food industry and advocating for policies that benefit small, family farms.

One way food justice advocates promote equal opportunity is by supporting farmers who are women, immigrants, queer, and people of color. They want to ensure that family farmers have a fair chance in the market against corporate conglomerates and that they are paid a fair price for their work.

Another way food justice advocates support family farmers is by promoting their ability to produce healthier and more ethically produced meats. They also support the use of organic farming methods, which improve air, water and soil quality, sequester carbon, and reduce pollution from fertilizer and pesticide runoff.

The best way for me to make more ethical and sustainable choices when purchasing organic meat and poultry is to look for products that are certified by a non-governmental organization (NGO). These agencies don't have the legal jargon and rule exceptions allowed by the USDA and other regulatory bodies like the FDA, so you can be confident you are making a responsible decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should you buy organic?

Many health issues have been linked to conventional agriculture, including obesity, diabetes and cancer. When buying food, you must make wise choices.

The Environmental Working Group offers these tips:

Buy organic fruits and vegetables whenever possible.

USDA organic labels can be found on meat, poultry (eggs, eggs), milk, cheese and yogurt as well.

Avoid processed foods marked "natural" or with "no additives."

Be sure to read all ingredient labels. If an ingredient doesn't appear on the list, it could be added to the product during processing.

Fresh meats are better than canned or frozen. Many frozen and canned foods contain less nutrients, like high fructose Corn Syrup.

Are organic meats better?

If you've been paying attention for any time, you probably already know the answer to this question. The problem is that organic food is increasingly popular, but conventional food continues its decline.

Organic foods are becoming more popular because they are better for us. In addition to being safer for our health, organic products also help the environment by reducing pollution and waste.

There are many sides to this coin. Organic produce takes more time to grow and requires greater resources. Organic food is generally more expensive than nonorganic.

Organic meats are typically higher priced than conventionally raised animals. There are however ways to lower these costs without sacrificing the quality of organic meats.

One way to save money is to buy locally. Buying locally grown fruits and vegetables helps keep prices low because farmers receive incentives to grow healthy crops.

A great way to save money is to search for deals. Many organic products can be purchased at a discount.

Finally, another way to save money is by eating less meat. The feed required to raise cattle can make meat production expensive.

Organic food is healthier for the planet and our bodies than conventional food, but it's important to not overlook its cost.

What are the benefits of organic products for skin?

Organic skincare products are made without synthetic chemicals such as parabens, phthalates, mineral oil, petrolatum, petroleum jelly, propylene glycol, sodium lauryl sulphate, talc, triclosan, titanium dioxide, triethanolamine, vitamin A palmitate, etc.

Organic skincare products don't contain artificial colours or fragrances.

They can also be used to maintain healthy skin, protect against premature aging, promote healing from injuries, and improve overall well-being.

These are some standard terms you might come across when shopping for organic items:

Paraben Free - these are a group of chemicals used to keep certain cosmetic products stable, but they can be toxic if consumed in large quantities.
Fragrance Free - The product is not scented with essential oils.
Cruelty-Free: No animals were hurt during manufacturing.
Natural Ingredients – The ingredient is naturally derived either from a plant or an animal.
Vegan/Vegetarian – The ingredients can either be vegetarian or vegan.
Gluten-Free - This means that gluten has been removed from the formulation.
Non-Toxic – The product is free of toxins, carcinogens and other dangerous compounds that can harm your health.
Biodegradable - the product will break down into harmless components when discarded.
Pesticide Free - No pesticides were used during the growing or harvesting processes.
GMO-Free means that no ingredient in the product contains genetically modified organisms.
Certified Organic means that all of the ingredients in the formula were grown using methods that protect the soil, water, air, wildlife, and farmers.

What are the top organic products?

Today, organic foods are the fastest-growing industries. We've come far from our roots but there is still room for improvement.

Organic products are the future. They are safer and more cost-effective for consumers.

However, they are also more expensive. That is why we developed the Organic Food Index. We wanted to see which foods are most in demand today and how these trends are changing.

These findings show that organic foods are becoming more popular. The number of Americans shopping for organic food grew by nearly 50% between 2011 and 2012.

The USDA reported that organic production rose by 10% in the last year. Organic food now makes up 9% U.S. agriculture output.

Organic food is definitely on the rise, but it still seems expensive for consumers. The Organic Trade Association (OTA) reports that organic food retail prices average almost double the price of conventional foods.

The organic food sector is growing faster than other segments of the food supply. Looking closely at the data, you'll see that organic food consumption has grown steadily since 2009.

According to OTA, organic products sold in supermarkets grew 14% between 2010-2011.

This is because consumers are looking for healthier foods. Organic food sales have been increasing in all age groups.

However, younger generations are leading the charge when choosing organic food. Millennials have twice the likelihood of buying organic food as baby boomers. Young adults below 35 years of age account for 25%.

What does it mean to be an organic food producer?

Organic food producers grow organic products without the use of pesticides or chemical fertilizers. These foods include fruits as well vegetables, grains and dairy products.

Organic food production occurs on farms that have their crops grown naturally. This includes soil preparation, pest control, and crop rotation.

For an agricultural product to be considered organic, it must meet strict criteria set out by the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture).

These guidelines ensure that consumers can access safe, wholesome, nutritious food.

The benefits of eating organic range from lower levels of pesticide residues and heavy metal contamination to higher nutrient content and better flavour.

USDA Organic Products must have the "USDA Certified organic" label.

This certification means that the product meets the standards laid down by the National Organic Program.

Organic food is not only healthier for us, but also protects our environment.

Organic farming methods preserve natural resources, such as water or land. Organic farming also helps to reduce greenhouse gases emissions, which are responsible for climate change.

Organic agriculture is more sustainable and uses less chemicals.

It improves air quality as harmful gases such nitrates or ammonia are less likely to accumulate in the atmosphere.

There are many types and varieties of organic farming.

Conventional agriculture refers to the use synthetic inputs, such as pesticides/fertilizers.

Regenerative agriculture uses cover crops and green manures to improve soil quality. It also promotes biodiversity.

Agroecology is concerned with sustainable relationships between humans, plants, animals, and the environment.

Permaculture promotes self-sufficiency through the design of systems that mimic nature.

Why is organic produce important?

For our health, organic produce is crucial. It's the best method to ensure you eat healthy foods. Not only is it better for us, but it's also more environmentally friendly because it doesn't rely on pesticides and fertilizers.

Organic farming uses natural methods for growing crops without using harmful chemicals. Organic farming is safer for animals and humans because it produces fewer pollutants. When you choose organic food, both you and the earth are protected.

But organic food offers more than just health benefits. We all know how unhealthy processed foods can make us feel. You might not know this, but organic fruits and vegetables don't have to be treated with chemicals. That means that they taste fresher, look brighter and last longer too.

Organic food is so important. Organic is healthy for your health and for the environment.

What is organic meat?

Organic meat means real food, grown without artificial fertilizers or pesticides. It also means the animals were not fed any genetically modified foods. It is safe to eat because it doesn't contain any harmful chemicals.

Organic meats are good for the environment. We reduce the amount of pollution in our rivers, lakes, and landfills by eating organic food. Organic farmers are less likely to use toxic chemicals to kill birds or insects. This helps protect wildlife.

Buy organic meats whenever possible. This is the best way for you to eat healthy, organic meats. Buying local helps keep more money circulating within the community rather than going out of state. Local businesses often pass along savings to customers when shopping locally. Shopping locally helps to keep American workers employed, as opposed to sending them overseas.

Statistics

Cosmetic brands such as Laurel and Rose Mira are 100 percent organic and have a wide array of skincare products. (en.wikipedia.org)
To provide the highest quality products and services to every customer, with a dedicated workforce that puts the customer first and takes the extra step to achieve 100% customer satisfaction and loyalty. (hollinsorganic.com)
According to a study performed by consumerreports.org, organic products, compared to non-organic products, ranged anywhere from 13 percent cheaper to 303 percent more expensive. (en.wikipedia.org)
When packaged products indicate they are “made with organic [specific ingredient or food group],” they contain at least 70% organically produced ingredients. (usda.gov)

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Five Reasons to Purchase Organic Products

Organic foods are free from pesticides and synthetic fertilisers. They are free from genetically modified organisms and irradiated substances. Their production processes do not include sewage or industrial solvents. During the course of its growth cycle, the natural environment of the food is protected from contamination. It is completely free from artificial preservatives, additives, and other harmful chemicals. It does not contain hormones or antibiotics. They are also made in conditions that maintain their nutritional value and freshness for longer times.

Health benefits. Nonorganic produce is more chemically-laden than organic. This means that organic produce is less likely cause allergic reactions and sensitivities. This means you're also consuming less toxic and carcinogens.
Eco-friendliness. Produce grown without synthetic fertilizer and pesticides requires very little water. Organic farms are often located far from areas with high levels of pollution because it takes so much energy for conventional agriculture to grow. That helps reduce air pollution.
Sustainability. Organic farming relies on soil fertility, rather than chemical fertilisers. This results in healthier soils and higher levels organic matter. Soil health improves when farmers rotate crops and leave land fallow periodically. Strong immune systems are developed when farm animals only eat grasses and grains that have not been treated with hormones or antibiotics.
Taste. Traditional fruits and vegetables are often bland due to the fact that they are picked at peak ripeness and shipped long distances for grocery stores. Organic produce tastes richer and sweeter because it was harvested while still unripe.
Nutrition. GMOs and BPA can be found in many processed foods. Avoid these harmful chemicals by eating whole foods, such as meat, eggs and fish, seeds, legumes, fruits, vegetables, herbs, and beans.