With all the information out there in reference to healthy eating and what constitutes better health is overwhelming and confusing to say the least. With so much information available to the consumer on what constitutes overall health and wellness, it is no wonder why it seems so easy to just give in and reach for the nearest apple on the shelf. But not so fast, exactly where did that apple come from? What origin, if not from your backyard garden, did the apple originate? Was it organically grown with the famous USDA organic seal shining outward and proud on the core; or was it created in the confines of a Genetically Grown Laboratory many Biotech companies for some reason don’t want you to know about?
This article will be about educating you, the consumer, in exercising key judgment and healthy decision making while grocery shopping. Choosing foods wisely will significantly decrease the risk of GMO and toxic consumption within the body, therefore advocating health and wellness for overall well-being and sound mind, as suggested by research studies and observation.
Choosing a Venue
Choosing a venue is a critical step when choosing proper foods to consume because each venue will be slightly different in what it has to offer its consumers. For instance, Local Farmer’s Markets are in existence to foster a sense of connection within a community and often operate multiple times per year (Source, Farmers Market Coalition.org). The goal of such operations is to ensure that local Farmers continue to sell their livestock, garden and vegetables directly to the public in an effort to inform and increase awareness of the importance of eating organic and all natural. It is through these connections that foster a sense of trust between farmer and consumer, allowing confidence to flourish in reference to what they purchase for consumption. The only thing closer to Farmers Markets in my humble opinion is growing your own garden and raising your own livestock through traditional farm techniques and practices.
Next are community markets that are locally owned and operated by the towns and nearby suburbs in which they are derived. These markets often carry items that are either sold by local Farmer’s Markets and/or are 100% USDA certified organic and approved by important third party community boards like The Non-GMO Project. These markets, often dubbed as Co-Ops, often allow their community patrons to purchase a percentage of stock in exchange for membership privileges and lower item rates. As a private, non-corporate entity food mart (most Co-Ops have no more than 4 stores in 1 local area), this type of shopping often gets expensive, but the piece of mind knowing that you will have good food on your with everything labeled organic, pesticide and GMO free is entirely worth the price. Plus [foods] sold by Co-ops just taste better, in this author’s opinion.
Lastly there are markets that go beyond the local level and spread themselves miles wide and nations apart. These national food chains are what are commonly referred as supermarkets because of their gargantuan supply of items far and wide. Known nationally and sometimes internationally, these grocers often are known for stocking many different varieties of products from many different areas across the globe. The problem is that with the wide variety of foods, personal care products and other stuff, it can often be cumbersome and time consuming to identify which items are suitable and which items are not suitable for selection. This is especially true for produce items, in which everyone knows the US isn’t required to label their products if genetically modified or not. In fact, often times, food from these corporate chains often go unlabeled, adding even more confusion to the sea of chaos in the non GMO and organic community (Note, when referring to super conventional markets, this constitutes a broad range of grocer retailers; up to an including those who claim to be organic and natural.) Out of all categories of super grocers, conventional supermarkets should be approached with caution: there are many good opportunities for said stores to attain high quality, non-toxic foods but on the flipside to this there harbors a sea of chemically laden, genetically modified and processed items that only claim to be super natural and healthy. When choosing a marketing venue to shop high quality non-toxic foods, be sure to exercise caution as not all grocery retailers are created equal.
Look for the Label!
Organic Seal of Approval and number codes by reference as well as other food labeling by non GMO Organizations are an important point for healthy shopping choices. In addition, ingredient lists are also important when considering alternatives for a healthier lifestyle. For example, produce listings starting with 9 PLU code are considered organic. These are the best choices for produce selection as not only are they are GMO free but are grown in completely natural soil with minimal to no pesticide usage whatsoever. Produce labeled with other numbers or not at all are mediocre at best, as the consumer will never really know the origin of its sources when choosing a produce that is not USDA certified organic or local.
Can’t pronounce an ingredient? Don’t buy it. It is most likely NOT safe for human consumption or use. Even when it is pronounceable, choosing a lotion, soap, shampoo or even a can of soup without being informed is putting your health at risk and should not be consumed or used without absolute certainty that what you are putting in your mouth, on your hair and your body is as safe as humanely possible. For instance, ingredients that are used in today’s many personal care products are also used in nuclear bombs, deadly weapons, or household cleaners and pesticides disguised under the name “humectants” or “stabilizers” or (my personal fave) “ natural flavouring” (Suzar, p 64: Drugs Masquerading as Foods: Deliciously Killing American-Afrikans and All Peoples).
Making healthy food choices in this crazy world is important. Gone are the days in which the consumer can feel blatantly safe from the hazards and chemicals of GMO contamination and toxication poisoning in our food supply. Since the US has no regulations as of yet on GMO food labels and toxic chemical contamination in food and cosmetic supplies, it is up to us as the consumer to protect ourselves and one another from these dangerous practices that can be, at its best deemed as shady and at its worst, cancer causing and health risking. By knowing what is in your food is half the battle when identifying toxic ingredients and fake GMO’s. The other half is knowing where to shop and educating yourself through community outlets on how, when and why your particular local co-op is carrying the products they choose to carry. This type of education can be sought through local farmer’s markets that can supply food, knowledge and produce to their local communities and adjunct areas. When patronizing big, national supermarket food chains (and yes, by chains I mean markets that claim all natural and all organic), look for proper PLU codes and certifications indicating organic, whole, non-GMO ingredients where used before placing that piece of ripe produce in your mouth. As a nation, we don’t get protection from the government so it is up to us to educate and protect ourselves from unhealthy food choices.
Works Cited
Environmental Working Group:
http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/. Retrieved on June, 1st, 2013.
Farmers Market Coalition: http://farmersmarketcoalition.org/#sthash.WDSsjjxK.dpuf. Retrieved on Sep 6, 2013.
Non GMO Project:
http://www.nongmoproject.org/
Dr. S Epps. 1999. Silent, deadly, delicious. Drugs Masquerading as foods. Deliciously killing American-Afrikans and all peoples. 1999. California: A-Kar Productions.
