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In part I of the article, I have listed the benefits of eating organic, including reducing health risks, reducing nitrates in our diet, as well as creating a better environment our children. But

Is Buying Organic Enough?

Unfortunately for the freshest, healthiest and most environmentally friendly foods we must look beyond the organic label and turn towards foods that are also sustainable, local and in-season. But what does it all mean?

Sustainable

Sustainable agriculture refers to the ability of a farm to produce food indefinitely, without causing irreversible damage to ecosystem health. This involves food production methods that are healthy, do not harm the environment, respect workers, are humane to animals, provide fair wages to farmers, and support farming communities. To find markets, stores, restaurants, and farms offering sustainable foods in your area visit Eat Well Guide.

Seasonality

Seasonality of food refers to the times of the year when a given type of food is at its peak, either in terms of harvest or flavor. This is usually the time when the item is the most abundant, least expensive and freshest on the market. We as consumers have become accustomed to getting what we want when we want, thus out of season produce can still be found at supermarkets (mostly grown in other countries) but at higher cost, less flavor and fewer quality standards.

For instance if you buy a pear out of season, even though it may be grown organically, the pear had to travel thousands of miles from a country in the southern hemisphere to reach your supermarket. Thus organically grown isn't enough; locally grown and in season is important too. On the other hand you may choose to buy a fruit that's in-season at a farm, like a blackberry. You can ask the farmer about his farming practices, and while he may not be "certified" organic (too expensive or is going through the process) he may use organic, sustainable practices. Thus even though the blackberry isn't certified organic it is a good, healthy, and tasty choice.

Local Fun Food Finds

It may seem like a lot of work, but finding food that fits the criteria of the above can be fun too; especially with children. Going to farmer's markets, joining a food co-op, growing a community garden and visiting farms are just a few ways to be sure your food is the freshest, healthiest and tastiest possible.

In an effort to provide education about organic agriculture and gain attention for local sustainable foods, a growing number of farmers are opening up the farm to families, school groups, and anyone interested in harvesting their own food. This "u-pick" experience is fun and educational for all ages, besides gaining access to the freshest, tastiest produce you will get anywhere. Most u-pick farms begin opening in May with strawberries and later in the summer offer blueberries, raspberries and peaches.

A family outing to a farm provides a glimpse into rural life and opens a discussion about food and where it comes from (and I'm not referring to the grocery store). This is a great hands-on opportunity to share with your children. A farm experience engages a child's five senses: touching the plants, smelling the soil, tasting the ripe fruit, seeing the crops and machinery, and hearing the animals and equipment.

The more a child participates in a process the more ownership and pride he takes in the final product. The same is true of visiting a farm. Children love to experience something new, especially when it involves dirt and food. According to Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) "Parents had reported that their children started to eat more vegetables after visiting a farm on a school field trip, having experienced for the first time the process of gardening". Besides the instant gratification of eating a just picked strawberry, here are a few other lessons and ways to engage children on the farm:

• Counting - ask your child how many berries they picked
• Growing - ask your child how fruits and vegetables grow (vine, tree, bush)
• Colors - ask your child the colors of his favorite foods
• Working - ask your child how the food gets from the crops to the market
• Planning - ask your child for menu ideas for enjoying the picked fruit (pie, smoothie, tart, salad)
• Cooking - ask your child to help prepare the food from the produce they picked (age appropriate tasks)

Once you've done your picking, here's an easy way to enjoy the fruits of your labor (pun intended):

Patriot Parfait

(page 104 of The Petit Appetit Cookbook)

Celebrate summer and berry season with a red, white and blue treat. Be sure to make these parfaits in clear glass bowls or champagne flutes to get the festive "flag" appearance. Cheers to the red, white and blue!

Blueberry syrup
1 pint fresh organic blueberries
¼ cup orange juice
1 tablespoon maple syrup

To make the syrup, combine above ingredients in a small saucepan and cook over medium-low heat until blueberries pop and sauce thickens into a syrup consistency, about 10 minutes. Cool before assembling parfait.

Parfait:
1 quart plain or vanilla whole milk organic yogurt
1 pint fresh organic strawberries
1 pint fresh organic blueberries

In a glass bowl or flute, layer the fruit and yogurt starting with the strawberries on bottom, then yogurt and then blueberries on top.

Drizzle blueberry syrup over finished parfait.

 

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