ONE BAD APPLE

 Warning: Author’s Opinion and Self Indulgent Pontification

Okay, it is time to step back and take a deep breath. So far, I have written several pieces that take a rather scathing approach to our current food industry. However, I would like to clarify my stance and hopefully, try to limit collateral damage caused by trying to effect change.

It is pretty much a fact that the buying public is being mislead by food labels (a topic coming to these pages soon). It is common knowledge that highly compensated food lobbyists can influence safety regulations, chemical giants continue to promote questionable use of their products for farm production AND giant agri-business continues to push small local (read family) farming to the brink of extinction. We still must look at the big picture.

Whenever I feel my anger over our food production practices I am reminded of the song by the OSMONDS: “One bad apple don’t spoil the whole bunch...” (Yeah, I know, I’m showing my age). The point here is that “green activism” often uses “carpet bombing” tactics to try to literally shut down whatever is perceived as an antagonist. Protest, in its varying forms from extreme to non-aggressive, often have a domino effect that may cause unintended harm.

When I write about health dangers in feedlots, the use of chemicals on crops, or “rage against” industrial farming, I have to remember against “whom” I am ranting. The truth is that all the bending of rules or regulations, the promotion of various production methods, as well as the ambiguities in marketing and labeling can be blamed, basically, on the very few…AND therein lies my point.

Industry means employment and employment means economic health. A lot of fine, hard working folks work in industries that many find objectionable. The fact that a person is a meat plant worker, a lumberjack, works on a whaling boat or any potentially objectionable job does not make them evil, cruel, or unjust. Most likely he/she is someone who is a member of the community, feels fortunate to have a job and is just trying to make ends meet while supporting a family. No, our rath should be reserved for the “bean counters and politcal wonks”. Our methods should be geared toward change that is manageable and measured…not radical or extremist.

So, when trying to effect change, aim at the “one bad apple” not “the whole bunch”.
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BACK TO THE (FOOD) FUTURE

It wasn't all that long ago that our fruits and vegetables were only available for consumption based on the season. Today, when we go to the grocery we literally have a plethora of foods to choose from. Any time of the year, we can buy produce that was once available for only a few short weeks out of the year. Fresh berries or squash in December, and corn on the cob, green beans, or even watermelon in February!

How, you ask? Because much of our produce comes from other parts of the world where growing seasons are opposite of ours (or even year long). Places such as Mexico, Chile, India, and the Pacific Rim, ship enormous amounts of commodities to the U.S. While this allows the consumer to buy tomatoes in January, it doesn't necessarily translate into nutrition and certainly not to flavor or taste.

Produce is at its highest nutritional value when it is ripe. But the fruits and vegetables we now buy must first travel a very long distance to get to the store, which means they are picked before being truly "ready to eat". While the produce may gain color and appear to ripen on its journey to the supermarket, nutritional value, which is delivered through the living plant, is lessened. Once picked, a vegetable or fruit will cease to gain nutrition, and (here’s the real kick in the pants!) nutritional value will actually begin to decrease with each passing day!


Obviously, nutritional value and taste are not the real concerns for the large commercial fruit and vegetable farms. In the days when fruits and vegetables were locally grown all that really mattered was taste and everyone  just knew they were good for you. But today, with harvesting handled by machines and the produce literally shipped worldwide, other factors take priority.   Uniformity of size, ability to "hold up" during shipping and eye appeal are really all that matter. While these factors are important to the grower's bottom line (profits), they actually provide less of a health benefit to the consumer. In fact, there are some who will argue that unripened food can be a detriment to health.   

So for your health's sake, go back to the future when you're shopping for produce. Find your local farmers market, or better yet, a farm stand on the road right in front of the farm where the fruits and vegetables are grown. You just won't believe the taste when you do!

If you live in the big city check your local listings or search the internet for farmers markets and health food stores that sell locally produced food in your community. And by all means, support your community fruit and vegetable growers by buying your produce ripe, locally grown, and freshly harvested. Your taste buds will thank you.

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HUH(?) A GREEN ORGANIC...NEXT DOOR?

  I'm sure most of you are here because your brain went "What?"....."Organic Green Cow Next Door"(??)....and your curiosity got the best of you, eh? Okay, I will explain, but first:

IT IS "ALL THE RAGE": Eat Healthy, Buy Local, Natural Food, Organic, Green, Farmers Market. These and other buzz terms are everywhere; in the news, at the coffee shop, magazines, etc, etc. But, what does it all mean? How do you know which food, grown or produced by which method, is really good for your well being?


I own and operate a ranch in central Texas and I raise cattle. Grass fed cattle. But, this blog is not about my ranch, our cattle or life on a ranch (although I will write about such from time to time). Instead, I will be giving you my opinions on food and the various production methods. the articles will be based upon my personal experiences as a sustainable "ag" producer, as well as those of my friends and mentors in the agricultural business; plus, some actual scientific data, to guide you through the maze of truths, half-truths, and outright falsehoods associated with the “organic, healthy, natural food” movement. In addition I will add information on where to find farmers markets, interesting facts, some interviews, guest articles, photos and other fun tidbits.

There is a growing awareness in our society that our current commercial food supply chain is coming up short on the healthy side of life. More and more people are exploring ways to eat healthier foods AND to know just where that food came from. Many are migrating to local farmers markets, produce stands, and even a few large national retailers who sell “natural or organic” foods. Most believe that they are eating healthier foods and possibly helping save the planet in the process. But, are they really healthier? Are “natural/organic” foods really better for you and does their production ease the ecological burden on “Mother Earth”?

Questions and more questions. Is your head spinning? I will try to answer these and other questions that arise in the coming posts. But first, the answer to the question that brought you here...

There is one simple truth to the natural food movement. The freshest, most flavorful food is that which is grown closest to where you live. Whether it is in a large metropolis or small town chances are there is a farm or ranch nearby that offers the fruits of their labor to the local public. Hence, “The Organic Green Cow Next Door”.


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