Comments on: Quick Interview: Organics vs. Conventional Foods – Mothers & Menus Founder, Author of The Well Rounded Pregnancy Cookbook, Karen Gurwitz http://organicmania.com/2007/11/09/quick-interview-mothers-menus-founder-author-of-the-well-rounded-pregnancy-cookbook-karen-gurwitz/ Tue, 07 Feb 2012 03:35:33 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 By: Sue http://organicmania.com/2007/11/09/quick-interview-mothers-menus-founder-author-of-the-well-rounded-pregnancy-cookbook-karen-gurwitz/comment-page-1/#comment-47 Sue Mon, 12 Nov 2007 20:43:54 +0000 http://organicmania.com/2007/11/09/quick-interview-mothers-menus-founder-author-of-the-well-rounded-pregnancy-cookbook-karen-gurwitz/#comment-47 This is a really interesting discussion. I am torn between buying organic produce and buying locally produced farmers market produce. In some cases, I know the local produce is not organic but I still purchase these items over the organics. Part of the reason is that I am trying to keep the little guy in business. My uncle was a farmer during my childhood, until his farm went under. I think it's hard for the small mom and pop farmers (businesses) to compete in todays market. This is unfortunate because a way of life is being slowly lost. In any event it is really interesting for me to understand when does it make sense to eat organics and when does it make sense to purchase local produce that is not organic. Thanks to Lynn and Karen's post this issues is getting a little clearer for me. Sue - Thanks for your comments. I enjoyed the talk with Karen, and will actually be following-up with more interviews with what I'm calling "Organic Mommypreneurs." I think you'll find the next one in the series very interesting, because we'll touch on some similar issues, even exploring "what is organic?" -- Lynn This is a really interesting discussion. I am torn between buying organic produce and buying locally produced farmers market produce. In some cases, I know the local produce is not organic but I still purchase these items over the organics. Part of the reason is that I am trying to keep the little guy in business. My uncle was a farmer during my childhood, until his farm went under. I think it’s hard for the small mom and pop farmers (businesses) to compete in todays market. This is unfortunate because a way of life is being slowly lost.

In any event it is really interesting for me to understand when does it make sense to eat organics and when does it make sense to purchase local produce that is not organic. Thanks to Lynn and Karen’s post this issues is getting a little clearer for me.

Sue – Thanks for your comments. I enjoyed the talk with Karen, and will actually be following-up with more interviews with what I’m calling “Organic Mommypreneurs.” I think you’ll find the next one in the series very interesting, because we’ll touch on some similar issues, even exploring “what is organic?” — Lynn

]]> By: Beth E. Berns http://organicmania.com/2007/11/09/quick-interview-mothers-menus-founder-author-of-the-well-rounded-pregnancy-cookbook-karen-gurwitz/comment-page-1/#comment-42 Beth E. Berns Sat, 10 Nov 2007 03:56:50 +0000 http://organicmania.com/2007/11/09/quick-interview-mothers-menus-founder-author-of-the-well-rounded-pregnancy-cookbook-karen-gurwitz/#comment-42 I agree with Karen. Organics are terrific, but sometimes it's more important to eat whole locally grown produce. In mid Ocrober I visted a Farmer's Market in NYC. The apples looked so fresh and delicious. I asked several farmers if they grew their apples through organic methods. 4 separate farmers answered "no." One farmer was kind enough to explain to me why he could not use orgnic methods to grow apples in New York State. Frankly it is too moist and the bugs,insects and deer would eat all the apples in the orchards without some sprays. In addition, the climate is too moist in New York State to avoid using certain items in the fertizer. Orchards in certain parts of California and the west coast could more easily use organic methods. He explained to me that no chemicals were used in pressing the apples for Apple Cider, and the fruits were thoroughly washed. As consumers, I think it is really important to purchase food as close to where it grown, the source, to minimize transportation time and costs, as well as additional chemicals for preservation of freshness. Beth, thanks for your comments. I especially like your story about the farmer's market. I recall that in the fall, there were a lot of Moms looking for organic orchards with no success, likely for the very reasons you mention. -- Lynn I agree with Karen. Organics are terrific, but sometimes it’s more important to eat whole locally grown produce. In mid Ocrober I visted a Farmer’s Market in NYC. The apples looked so fresh and delicious. I asked several farmers if they grew their apples through organic methods. 4 separate farmers answered “no.” One farmer was kind enough to explain to me why he could not use orgnic methods to grow apples in New York State. Frankly it is too moist and the bugs,insects and deer would eat all the apples in the orchards without some sprays. In addition, the climate is too moist in New York State to avoid using certain items in the fertizer. Orchards in certain parts of California and the west coast could more easily use organic methods. He explained to me that no chemicals were used in pressing the apples for Apple Cider, and the fruits were thoroughly washed.
As consumers, I think it is really important to purchase food as close to where it grown, the source, to minimize transportation time and costs, as well as additional chemicals for preservation of freshness.

Beth, thanks for your comments. I especially like your story about the farmer’s market. I recall that in the fall, there were a lot of Moms looking for organic orchards with no success, likely for the very reasons you mention. — Lynn

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