Organic Foods Research - Fall 2007

Sold Out?

Finding and Link: Kevin Clarke. "Sold out? " U.S. Catholic 1 Aug. 2006: 38. Research Library. ProQuest. Foley Library. 23 Oct. 2007 <http://www.proquest.com/>

POV of Source: The article seems fairly neutral. He offers arguments both for and against organic foods.

Summary/Reconstruction: The author discusses that by going mainstream the organic market may be spoiled. He discusses how much of America's organic food is from overseas and may not be that good for the enviroment. He also looks at the positive aspects of organic foods, mainly the reduction of pesticides, etc. Though it was from the periodical U.S. Catholic, it offers no information about organic foods in reference to catholicism.

Your Name: Lhunter 23:51, 22 October 2007 (PDT)

Food Matters

Finding and Link "Food Matters." BBC Food. January 2007. 23 Oct. 2007 <http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/food_matters/organicfood.shtml>

POV/Source The author doesn't so much try to convey a point of view, instead the primary purpose of this article is being informative. The author may be slightly in favor of organic food, but he maintains more factual than bias.

Summary This article addresses key primary question, including the following: the definition of organic food, if organic food really is "better" and information about organic consumers and their beliefs. The author also stresses that many of us place "blind trust" in organic food, and we don't consider what it really means to be organic. The article does though; stress the importance of "natural" food and reasons for the increased price of organic crops. As the source of the article is outside the U.S. it serves as a useful comparison of the different views and popularity of organic food in a different environment than our own, and furthermore this data can later be compared to U.S. sources.

Your Name B. Brady

Organic, and Tastier: The Rat's Nose Knows

Finding and Link HAROLD McGEE. New York Times. (Late Edition (east Coast)). New York, N.Y.:Oct 3, 2007. p. F.5 <http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=1351544801&Fmt=3&clientId=10553&RQT=309&VName=PQD>

POV/Source Pretty pro-organic, but in a neutral, scientific tone.

Summary A team of Swiss and Austrian scientists recently concluded a 21-year study of organic wheat production. As an integrative method for assessing quality, they gave lab animals a choice of biscuits made from organic or conventional wheat. The rats ate significantly more of the former. The authors call this result remarkable, because they found the two wheats to be very similar in chemical composition and baking performance.

Your Name CTResearcher 15:26, 23 October 2007 (PDT)Sam BurkeCTResearcher 15:26, 23 October 2007 (PDT)

The Truth About Pesticides and Organics

Finding and Link Karlyn Grimes. Dance Teacher. New York:Oct 2007. Vol. 29, Iss. 10, p. 94-96 (3 pp.) <http://www.proquest.com/>

POV/Source Pro-organic

Summary Organic meat, poultry, eggs and dairy products have to come from animals that receive no antibiotics, hormones or medications in absence of disease, and are kept in living conditions that accommodate their natural behavior. Organic farming has been shown to reduce the pollution of groundwater, decrease soil erosion, boost soil fertility and productivity, minimize the greenhouse effect and global warming, and lower health risks associated with handling and consuming pesticides.

Your Name Sam BurkeCTResearcher 15:31, 23 October 2007 (PDT)

Rethinking Organics

Finding and Link Sanjay Gupta. Rethinking Organics. Time International 3 Sep. 2007: 32. Research Library. ProQuest. Foley Library Spokane, WA. 23 Oct. <http://www.proquest.com>.

POV/Source Pro-inorganic

Summary scientists have yet to document a definite, long-term negative effect of modern pesticides on our bodies, meaning that while organic foods do you no harm, they may not turn out to be as beneficial as you think. Quercetin and kaempferol are members of a larger group of antioxidants known as flavonoids, which when consumed in foods have been associated with reduced risks of chronic health conditions like heart disease, certain cancers and even some forms of dementia.

Your Name Tom Whitt CTResearcher 16:22, 23 October 2007 (PDT)

Organic Food Marketplace

Finding and Link Chelsey D Hillyer. "Update: Organic food marketplace. " International News on Fats, Oils and Related Materials : INFORM 1 May 2007: 307-308. Research Library. ProQuest. 24 Oct. 2007 <http://www.proquest.com/>

POV/Source Pro-inorganic

Summary Even if it were not for many serious concerns about the propriety of certification process in China," wrote Kastel in a press release, "food shipped around the world, burning fossil fuels and undercutting our domestic farmers, does not meet the consumer's traditional definition of what is truly organic.

Your Name Evan Farris CTResearcher 07:45, 24 October 2007 (PDT)

Demand for organic food and drink soars - up 22pc last year

Finding and Link "Demand for organic food and drink soars - up 22pc last year. " Farmers Guardian 7 Sep. 2007: 2. ABI/INFORM Trade & Industry. ProQuest. 24 Oct. 2007 <http://www.proquest.com/>

POV/Source Pro-inorganic

Summary "With the Government's own studies confirming that organic farming typically uses 30 per cent less energy than non-organic farming, it's not surprising more and more people are choosing to purchase planet-friendly, organic food," said Ms [Helen Browning].

Your Name Evan Farris CTResearcher 07:50, 24 October 2007 (PDT)

The Organic Myth

Finding and Link Diane Brady. "The Organic Myth. " Business Week 16 Oct. 2006: 50 ProQuest

POV/Source The author seems to lean towards pro-organic and seems doubtful that organic food can be reproduced for a mass scale.

Summary The idea of all organic foods coming straight from a small farm is becoming not always the case. With more consumers wanting to buy more organic foods, big companies are trying to appeal to the consumers by using organic ingredients in their foods. The author also discusses what the term organic means, what it has become in today's market and ethical challenges.

Your Name Angela Francisco CTResearcher 19:16, 24 October 2007 (PDT)

Committing Pesticide

Finding and Link Moyra Bremner. "Committing pesticide. " The Ecologist 1 Dec. 2002: 14-18. ProQuest

POV/Source For organic foods.

Summary The author doesn't talk much about organic foods but instead discusses why we need to buy organic because of the harmful and deadly effects of pesticides. Explains the effects of pesticides on field workers, pregnant women and neighborhoods nearby pesticide farms. Also, the author states that buying organic is not just a lifestyle choice but ethical as well because of the harm that is happening behind the scenes without the consumer's knowledge.

Your Name Angela Francisco CTResearcher 19:51, 24 October 2007 (PDT)

How 'Big Nutrition' Destroys Your Will to Fatness

Finding and Link Greg Beato (2006, December). How 'Big Nutrition' Destroys Your Will to Fatness. Reason, 38(7), 19. Retrieved October 25, 2007, from Research Library database. (Document ID: 1180262331)

POV/Source The author is for eating organic foods instead of the unhealthy, cheap "mainstream American diets". He emphesises how these fast food diets are the cause for high rates of obesity and mentions how organic foods are more easily available.

Summary Supermarkets and fast food outlets push fructose-laden, low-fiber, processed fare on consumers, which in turn causes excess insulin production. These dizzying array of choices confuse consumers and temp starving brains to seek sugary relief. It will take a grassroots effort of doctors, community leaders and consumers to force the government and the food industry to get those sugary foods out of mainstream American diets.

Your Name Scott Ratterman CTResearcher 22:55, 24 October 2007 (PDT)

No miracle growth for organic, despite new roots in mass

Finding and Link Mike Duff (2001, June). No miracle growth for organic, despite new roots in mass. DSN Retailing Today, 40(11), 45-46. Retrieved October 25, 2007, from ABI/INFORM Trade & Industry database. (Document ID: 73939820)

POV/Source A little bias for organic foods, but the article is filled with facts about marketing organic foods and gives perspective on the organic food market.

Summary Benefiting from the rising popularity of "natural" foods in all channels, organic produce is attempting to make new inroads into mainstream food merchandising, in part by putting on a more conventional appearance. Through the efforts of growers, distributors and retailers, organic produce is becoming more readily available to consumers. Today, the category is growing more consistently, say organic produce suppliers. Organic produce has had a spotty history, with consumer interest gaining during a health or safety crisis, then waning afterwards. However, as the category has evolved, it has become more consumer friendly and been the beneficiary of the interest in overall health generated, in part, by the advancing age of Baby Boomers.

Your Name Scott Ratterman CTResearcher 8:58, 25 October 2007 (PDT)

Consumers Admit the Benefits of Organics despite Higher Costs

Finding the Link "Fans Admit Organics More Costly, but Worth It: Consumer Poll.(Survey)." Progressive Grocer (Oct 9, 2007): NA. General Reference Center Gold. Gale. 26 Oct. 2007 <http://find.galegroup.com/ips/start.do?prodId=IPS>.

POV/Source This article seems Pro-Organic but expresses the views collected in a survey of the general public

Summary This article in Progressive Grocer displays a survey conducted about the consumer's opinions about the positive and negative aspects of Organic Food. It documents consumers beliefs about if organic foods are good for you and what types of consumers buy organic foods. This article mainly consists of facts describing which consumers buy organic food and how they feel it affects the environment, their health, and the cost value.

Your Name Ryan Heffernan CTResearcher CTResearcher 23:22, 25 October 2007 (PDT)