With eco-awareness growing steadily, there are so many "Green" options that they can be difficult to navigate. This is great, because it means that people are searching for solutions to the very real problem of our disproportional global impact, but the confusing and often contradictory messages can be discouraging. Perhaps the most confusing area (and, arguably, the most important) is food. Walking through grocery aisles these days, one is practically assaulted by products that advertise themselves as "organic," "natural," "biodynamic," etc. Just buying a box of strawberries launches one into an apparently futile quest to find the greenest option; is it better to purchase the organic berries that were shipped from California, burning fossil fuels in the process, or the locally grown ones that aren’t labeled "organic?" But don't lose heart! Simply learning more about what these labels actually mean can make shopping for food a lot less confusing.
No Such Thing as a Bad Apple
The great news is that with most produce, whatever you buy will be considered "sustainable," a more important label than all the others, although not one that is regulated by any agency. Think about it: if a farm isn't economically and ecologically sustainable, there won't be any farms in the future, organic or any other kind. All farmers, who earn their livings from the land, see it in their interest to use the most sustainable growing methods possible. In fact, most of the harm to the environment that comes from pesticide use is our fault, not theirs: according to the National Academy of Sciences, the average homeowner uses ten times more pesticides per acre on his lawn than even a conventional farmer does.
It is true that the only growing methods certified by independent third parties are Certified Organic and Certified Biodynamic, which are monitored to ensure that they avoid synthetic chemicals and genetic modification. But it is also true that joining these certification agencies is very expensive, and most farmers can’t afford the fees. Furthermore, many farmers are staunch individualists who want to maintain their independence and control over their own land. They are still good farmers, they just lack a USDA stamp on their produce.
Think Global, Eat Local
You've seen it on bumper stickers so many times, but it's true! When trying to find the most sustainable food purchases, the closest is always the best. Not to mention the fact that it’s also fresher and healthier for you! When deciding on organic vs. local, remember that most of the produce on Long Island is organic, it just may not be Certified Organic. The global impact of shipping produce across the country or importing it from other countries is huge, and why go to such lengths when we have sweet corn and fresh berries right here!