What do you know about your food?

How available are local and organic foods?

Many people think that organic and local foods are very hard to get, but in Vermont alone, there are at least 20 stores known for selling organic foods. Many of the stores that sell organic foods in Vermont are co-ops. Within these co-ops over 17% of their products are local. There are also many other ways to get local food in Vermont, considering that we are a farming state. You could have your own garden or buy food from a farm stand. You could also partner with a farmer by paying them at the beginning of the season, and they will give you a share of their crops or meat throughout the course of the farming season.

What are the health benefits of buying organic and local?

One of the biggest advantages of organic foods are that they have lots of health benefits. One study showed that organic foods have 10-50% more phytonutrients than conventional produce. They also, on average, contain more Vitamin C, Antioxidant, and minerals. If you eat organic food, you won't be eating pesticides which are known to cause disease, and you won't eat additives which have been known to cause hyperactivity in children.

How does buying local benefit your community?

By buying local foods, you are helping your community. Instead of paying a large corporations for your food, you are paying a local farmer. This helps keep money within your community and also supports a farm. This helps you get good food from a place you can rely on.

How does buying these foods benefit the treatment animals?

In factory farms, animals are generally treated very inhumanely. They put as many animals as possible into a small space, to maximize profit. They also tend to kill animals in inhumane ways, and treat them badly while they are still alive. Since chickens are kept in such tight confines, they cut their beaks with a hot blade, because they peck each other when put too close together. Also, pigs have been been known to be kept in cages where they can't move for the length of their pregnancy. Buying at local farms can prevent this cruel treatment of animals because they usually have enough room to live and are treated much better.

Sources

Kaufmann, Emma. "The Case against Organic Food - by Emma Kaufmann - Helium." Helium - Where Knowledge Rules. Helium. Web. 12 Dec. 2010. <"http://www.helium.com/items/90247-the-case-against-organic-food">

Noyes, Katherine. "Factory Farm Animals - Support Humane Treatment." Charity Guide: Volunteer Opportunities Directory. Charity Guide. Web. 11 Dec. 2010. <"http://charityguide.org/volunteer/fewhours/factory-farm-animals.htm">

Topic, By. "Health Benefits of Organic Food." Clean Funny Cartoons / Environmental Issues ... on Grinning Planet. Grinning Planet, 2005. Web. 12 Dec. 2010. <"http://www.grinningplanet.com/2005/12-27/health-benefits-of-organic-food-article.htm">

"VERMONT Organic Food Stores Locator - Find Your Local Organic Food Stores and Suppliers." Organic Foods Store Locator - Find Your Local Organic Food Stores and Suppliers. FOTW. Web. 11 Dec. 2010. <"http://www.organicstorelocator.com/all-vermont.html">