Eco this, bio that and organic.
It is clear these days, people are concerned about what they are exposing themselves to,how it may impact their health and what potential harm it may cause to the environment.
And if you spend any time amongst hipsters in urban areas or soccer moms in the 'burbs, the obvious is "Sustainable" is hip!
But what is "sustainable" when it comes to agriculture?
The term "sustainable" has been misused in the public debate to the point that it now seems practically meaningless. Many companies would like you to think that they are "eco" or "sustainable," but if you dig beyond their green facade, you may be surprised at what you find.
Our friends over at the Sustainable Table attempted to define sustainable agriculture. This is what they came up with:
Sustainable agriculture is a way of raising food that is healthy for consumers and animals, does not harm the environment, is humane for workers, respects animals, provides a fair wage to the farmer, and supports and enhances rural communities.
We at the Apple Cart think it is important to look beyond labling and marketing schemes. Ask yourselves if the food your purchasing was produced in a socially responsible manner. Were the animals treated humanely? Were neighbors negatively impacted? Was the environment harmed? Did the farmer get a fair price?
Of course, the answers to these questions can be difficult to find. One sure way of discovering the truth behind your food is to buy directly from a farmer, whether from a farmers market or off the farm. Check out the Eat Well Guide or visit a directory of Oregon farmers markets to find a farmer near you.
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