Organic Valley distribution center to boost economy of southwest Wisc
After more than a year of planning and construction, Organic Valley employees, state and local officials, business leaders and community members gathered in Cashton, Wisc., July 27 to celebrate the grand-opening of a new, $17.5 million Organic Valley Distribution Center. The new facility will serve as the primary warehouse and distribution center for Organic Valley, America’s largest cooperative of organic farmers and one of the nation’s leading organic brands.
The new facility provides ample evidence that organic products have moved from a niche market into mainstream consumption, co-op officials say.
The 80,000-square-foot distribution center is located on 40 acres in the Cashton Greens Business Park, an innovative new development where businesses will create and use renewable energy, such as biomass conversion of manure and sawdust, biodiesel and wind energy. It includes an automated storage and retrieval system.
“The new Organic Valley Distribution Center is a symbol of our co-op’s growth and its ongoing commitment to creating sustainable communities through organic farming,” said co-op CEO George Siemon. “Anchoring our distribution in Cashton is a step to fulfill our mission to help bring economic vitality to rural Wisconsin.”
The facility was built using a number of “green” building practices, including fly ash in the cement, recycled cotton for insulation in the walls and recycled steel throughout the building; a white roof to reflect the sun’s heat and decrease energy costs in refrigeration; waterless urinals; and automatic faucets that recharge their batteries with the flow of water.
Condiments go healthy & organic: hold the trans fats and preservatives—but not the mayo! Natural condiments add zest and zing to foods without compromising good nutrition
Mayonnaise and mustard make almost anything taste better. But if you’re slathering your hormone-free hot dog with neon-yellow mustard, or drenching your organic baby greens with fatty salad dressing, we’ve got news for you: A whole new crop of healthful, organic condiments can add flavor and nutrition to your meals–without the pesticide residues, preservatives, sugar, artificial flavors and trans fats found in conventional condiments.
Made with high-quality ingredients, organic versions of your favorite sauces and spreads are a far cry from the foil packets of mustard and ketchup. Most condiments have an artisanal twist–and health benefits. Salsa, mustard, ketchup and vinegar add zing to foods, with few calories and no fat. And when mayonnaise and salad dressings are made with healthful oils, they’re a source of nutrition–not empty calories.
Try some of the following favorites. You’ll agree that we’ve come a long way from ballpark mustard!
Ketchup
The name comes from the Chinese “ke-tsiap,” a pickled fish sauce similar to Worcestershire or soy sauce. The tomato-based version we know was introduced to the United States by H.J. Heinz Company in 1875, where it met with immediate success. Loaded with cancer-fighting lycopene, this condiment is one of the most healthful around. Organic versions are free of preservatives and lower in sugar than conventional brands.
Five-star choices: *****
Muir Glen Organic Ketchup; Tree of Life Organic Ketchup; Annie’s Organic Ketchup
Salsa
The earliest salsa–a fiery combination of chiles, tomatoes and other spices–can be traced to the ancient Aztecs, Mayans and Incas. Like ketchup, salsa is also rich in lycopene and is a spicy, fat-free way to add excitement to cooked beans, steamed veggies or grilled meat. Organic versions come in a wide variety of flavors, from mild to superspicy, and may be laced with beans, corn, chipotle chiles, olives, and even persimmons.
Five-star choices: *****
Muir Glen Chipotle Salsa; Muir Glen Garlic Cilantro Salsa; Amy’s Kitchen Organic Black Bean and Corn Salsa; La Vigne Persimmon Salsa
Mayonnaise
This creamy, rich condiment–perfected by the French–has long been vilified for its high fat content. But when it’s done right, mayonnaise is more than a high-fat indulgence. Organic varieties are free of sugar and preservatives, and use good-for-you olive, canola or flax oils. Some are high in omega-3 fatty acids that have been shown to boost heart health, relieve mild depression and fight inflammation. Artisanal versions are enhanced with garlic, mustard and other flavors, and egg-free vegan versions are available as well.
Five-star choices: *****
Spectrum Organic Olive Oil Mayonnaise; Spectrum Artisan Wasabi Mayonnaise; Spectrum Omega-3 Mayonnaise with Flax Oil
Salad Dressing
The earliest salad dressings–used by the ancient Romans and Greeks–were simple mixtures of oil, vinegar and herbs. Creamy, mayonnaise-based dressings came later and probably originated in France. Like mayonnaise, salad dressing has long been maligned. But a well-formulated dressing can be a healthful addition to your bowl of organic baby greens. Organic dressings are free of trans fats, preservatives, sugars and thickeners, and are made with healthful olive, canola or flax oils. They’re also great drizzled over cooked veggies, or used as marinades for meat and fish.
Five-star choices: *****
Spectrum Organic Omega-3 Salad Dressings (try Pomegranate Chipotle, Asian Ginger or Vegan Caesar); Seeds of Change Organic Roasted Red Pepper Vinaigrette; Annie’s Organic Papaya Poppyseed
Mustard
Recipes for a paste made of ground mustard seed, vinegar and spices can be traced back to 42 AD; when a mustard maker in Dijon, France, substituted verjuice (an acidic juice from unripe grapes) for vinegar, mustard secured its place in history. And rightly so: A well-formulated mustard has a complex flavor that can enhance meat, fish and vegetable dishes, and provide a backdrop for divine salad dressings. Organic mustards are free of sugar, preservatives and added sulfites; whole-grain varieties contain bits of whole mustard seed for added texture and pungent flavor.
Five-star choices: *****
Delouis Organic Dijon Mustard; Delouis Organic Whole Grain Mustard; True Natural Taste Organic Creamy White Mustard
Olive Oil
Olive oil dates back to 5000 BC, in the eastern part of the Mediterranean, and was a highly treasured commodity for thousands of years. Today, olive oil is still treasured for its nutritional benefits. Rich in monounsaturated fats, olive oil lowers LDL (”bad”) cholesterol levels and protects against heart disease. Organic olive oils are superior in color and aroma, and are flavorful enough to stand alone as a dressing for salads.
Five-star choices: *****
Napa Valley Naturals Organic Olive Oil; Spectrum Organic Olive Oil; McEvoy Ranch Organic Olive Oil
Vinegar
After olive oil, vinegar is one of the oldest condiments; one of the earliest references is from the fifth century BC, when Hippocrates recommended its medicinal powers. Even now, folk medicine claims that vinegar–especially apple cider vinegar–can aid digestion, prevent infection, increase metabolism and boost immunity. Organic vinegars are free of added sulfites, and come in many flavors.
Alert: come late October, body care products might not carry the “USDA Organic” label
The disappearance of the green-and-white logo doesn’t mean that the shampoo, lip balm or skin cream you love has been reformulated to include a lot of scary synthetic chemicals. Odds are, your favorite product is as pure as ever. All that will have changed is the policy governing the label’s use. In April, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) suddenly announced that its National Organic Program doesn’t cover personal care products, on the grounds that the agency has no jurisdiction over cosmetics, which are regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration. So body care companies can no longer display the label.
But the new ruling contradicts policies that have been in effect since the organic label was created three years ago, leaving consumers confused and companies that spent millions to meet USDA standards with little to show for their investment.
Dr Bronner’s Magic Soaps, for example, spent approximately $6 million to develop chemical-free processes, find ingredients, secure suppliers and comply with USDA regulations. “We’ve gone to great expense to earn the right to bear the label,” says David Bronner, president of Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps. “We’ve even worked with poor peppermint farmers in India, helping them go organic to supply us.”
In June, Bronner and the 500,000-member Organic Consumers Association (OCA) sued the USDA, hoping to force the department to let the labels stay. (Because of the lawsuit, the USDA won’t comment.)
The plaintiffs expect to win on technicalities alone. “There are proper procedures for making decisions like this, and the USDA ignored them,” says Ronnie Cummins, the OCA’s executive director. “Agencies must allow a period of public comment so consumers can say what they think of the ruling.”
Cummins is confident about the bigger issues too. “Consumers will get to tell the USDA that the organics program should apply to body care products, because olive oil is the same whether it’s used for cooking or in a skin cream,” he says.
“This will be a confusing time for shoppers,” says Urvashi Rangan, PhD, director of the Consumer Union’s eco-labeling project (eco-labels.org), which tracks ingredients in body care products. “People who’ve relied on the label will just have to become better informed about the ingredients in products they use–especially the nonorganic ingredients. That will be the case until meaningful, consistent standards are developed, perhaps by the FDA and the USDA working together.”
“Ultimately it comes down to consumer demand,” Cummins says. “When we win our suit, consumers will get to make their voices heard. At that point, it’s up to them.”
Symptoms of mothers and infants related to total volatile organic compounds in household products
VOLATILE ORGANIC COMPOUNDS (VOCs) are a diverse group of relatively low-molecular-weight compounds with lower- and upper-limit boiling points of 50-100 [degrees]C and 240-260 [degrees]C, respectively. These solvents are all liquids at room temperature and are strongly lipophilic. VOC concentrations in indoor air are dependent on their sources (i.e., from combustion processes or from synthetic organic compounds used in buildings, furnishings, and household products where they may be released in low concentrations as active ingredients or contaminants). Common household products that contain VOCs include air fresheners, deodorizers, insect sprays, cleaners, polishes (1) (e.g., furniture polish, floor polish), and personal care products such as hairspray. Decreased ventilation in energy-efficient homes may increase VOC concentrations, whereas sink effects may contribute to their reduction. (2) Simulation of indoor insecticide application has shown indoor levels to be within the range expected to produce health complaints. (3)
Health symptoms attributed to VOCs include a panoply of responses (e.g., unwanted sensory effects such as unpleasant smells and sensory irritation, mucosal irritation resulting from toxic effects that interfere with the normal functioning of organs or tissues, and genotoxic effects). Researchers have investigated these health symptoms in different samples and populations; objectives have varied and methods have differed. (4) The effects of VOCs may not be immediate and acute, but may occur following cumulative doses. Odor sensation may lead to secondary outcomes (e.g., vomiting, altered respiratory response). Symptoms of indoor exposure to VOCs are often similar to those reported by individuals with Sick Building Syndrome. (5) In studies of the latter, investigators typically have found VOC levels to be below threshold limit values established for occupational settings. (6-8) Occupational standards–set at levels 10-1,000 times lower than the expected no-effect levels in humans–may be inappropriate for household environments, in which the exposure period may be more protracted than in the work setting. The home environment may contain an unknown mixture of chemicals that can interact synergistically at various air temperatures and humidity levels to exacerbate health effects from exposure to a single compound. (9-11) Health effects may result from levels lower than would be expected from exposure to a single compound; concentration gradients, rather than total concentrations, may potentially affect health adversely.
Non-occupational exposure limits are relevant for vulnerable infants, the elderly (> 65 yr of age) and ill individuals who spend most of their time indoors. These populations may spend their greatest number of indoor hours in the bedroom, where there is little air exchange. Pregnant women and their infants [less than or equal to] 6 mo of age spend 77% and 81%, respectively, of their time in their home. (12) The pregnant woman and her fetus may be highly vulnerable in that a rise in plasma lipids during pregnancy may enhance the solubility of inhaled lipophilic substances, such as organic solvents. (13-16)
Method
The Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) is a population-based study of children born to women who resided in Avon (United Kingdom) during their pregnancy and who had an expected delivery date between April 1, 1991, and December 31, 1992. (17) There were 14,541 pregnant women enrolled in this study, and a cohort of 13,971 of their children was still being followed at age 12 mo. The goal of the ALSPAC is to evaluate environmental, genetic, and social factors that can influence the health of infants and their mothers. Information was collected from mothers through self-report questionnaires at different times during their pregnancy, as well as after the infant’s birth, to ascertain family and household characteristics, parental occupations, and other socioeconomic factors. The purpose of this study within the ALSPAC was (a) to determine indoor levels of VOCs relative to the use of specific household products and (b) to identify households in which total VOC (TVOC) levels were high. Investigation of the entire cohort of children and their parents further identified common health effects at different points of data collection.
The Department of the Environment (U.K.) commissioned Building Research Establishment Ltd (BRE [Watford, U.K.]) to monitor the levels of VOCs within 170 homes randomly selected from the total ALSPAC cohort. Monitoring began in November 1990, and approximately 10 new homes/mo were enrolled during the study period. (11) The home of each pregnant woman was monitored from approximately 6 mo gestation to 6 mo following birth. (12) The 1st birth in the cohort was in April 1991. VOCs were monitored with TENAX[TM] tubes (TENAX Corp. [United Kingdom]), which were exposed for more than 1 mo for each of the 12 mo of sampling in the main bedroom and living room of each home in the study. The returned sampling tubes were stored in 3plastic bags at room temperature and were analyzed within 4 wk of collection of the tubes. Sampling tubes exposed for fewer than 21 days or for more than 42 days were rejected. For each batch of 10 tubes, 3 were retained at room temperature as blanks–without removal of their caps. (11,18) Following thermal desorption, chemical analysis of the sampler tubes was achieved with gas chromatography, which measured VOCs and specific compounds, including those commonly found in indoor air (i.e., benzene, toluene, m-xylene, o-xylene, decane, 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene, and undecane). We used toluene levels to calculate the TVOC concentration (i.e., a summation of individual compounds [mainly [C.sub.6]-[C.sub.17] compounds]). (19)
We asked subjects to complete a questionnaire that had questions about the frequency of use of 9 common household products that contain high proportions of VOCs. A total of 13,164 women completed the 1st questionnaire when they were 8 wk pregnant. Of these women, 10,976 completed a 2nd questionnaire 8 mo after birth, and 10,119 completed a 3rd questionnaire when their child was 21 mo of age. We assumed that information about household product use during early pregnancy reflected routine use of these products–rather than later uses which might include cleaning that occurred because the infant was now a member of the household (e.g., use of products to ensure special cleanliness in the infant’s environment). The types of household products examined were window cleaners, carpet cleaners, dry-cleaning fluids, turpentine or white spirit, paint stripper, house paints or varnishes, pesticides, other aerosols or sprays, and air fresheners. The categories of use were (a) never or less than once per week, (b) once per week, and (c) daily on most days.
Infant symptoms and health problems since birth (i.e., diarrhea, vomiting, cough or cold, high temperatures, earache, wheezing, breathlessness, rashes, and hospital admissions) were gleaned from the mother via a structured questionnaire at 8 mo postpartum. Respondents were also asked to report their own symptoms (e.g., anxiety, headache/migraine headache, cough or cold, influenza, wheezing, eczema, urinary tract infection, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea). Depression (during the week prior to completing the questionnaire) was also assessed with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Score (EPDS)–a 10-item scale for which scores of 13 or more are strongly predictive of clinical depression. (20) Women who scored a standard depression screening measurement (21) greater than 9 were defined as depressed for the purposes of this study.
Statistical analyses. Mean TVOC levels were calculated on the basis of the monthly values from the living rooms and main bedrooms of the homes monitored in the BRE indoor air study (N = 170). Households with less than 5 TVOC readings for the year were excluded from the analysis. TVOC levels were dichotomized into 2 percentiles: < 75th percentile and [greater than or equal to] 75th percentile. Use of each of the 9 household products during early pregnancy was dichotomized to < 1/wk and [greater than or equal to] 1/wk. We used Pearson’s chi-square and Fisher’s Exact test (crosstabs) to evaluate the relationships between VOC levels in the homes and product use during early pregnancy. We then used products that were statistically significantly associated with higher TVOC levels in the analysis of the entire cohort to determine if use of these products was associated with reporting of symptoms for infants or mothers.
For the total cohort, we applied logistic-regression analysis to obtain adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for each symptom with use of a specific product for different frequencies of use, to determine if the odds of experiencing a symptom increased as use of the product increased. Adjustments were made for education, mother’s age, housing tenure, number of children in the home, number of smokers in the home, paid job subsequent to birth of the child, dampness or condensation in the home, mold in the home, type of winter heating fuel, and month the questionnaire was completed. The first 6 variables controlled for socioeconomic status; the latter 4 controlled for seasonal ventilation differences that might have influenced the build-up of VOCs (from indoor sources).
Nest practices: cracking the organic market at the right time was key to this egg farmer’s success
ENTREPRENEUR: Cyd Szymanski, 48, founder of Nest Fresh Eggs Inc. in Denver DESCRIPTION: Producer and distributor of cage-free, organic shell and liquid/frozen eggs STARTUP: $28,000 for the first flock of chickens in 1991 zoos PROJECTED SALES: Over $5 million
WALKING ON EGGSHELLS: After enduring a childhood filled with the daily rigors of farm life, Cyd Szymanski vowed never to do anything farm-related again. But when her father and brother called her in 1991 with a captivating idea–producing cage-free eggs–Szymanski agreed to market the new business. She didn’t agree, however, to be left fully in charge with $68,000 in debt after her family backed out a year later.
HARD-BOILED: Determined not to crack under pressure, Szymanski immediately set to work winning customers. She convinced reluctant dairy managers at King Soopers supermarkets throughout Colorado to carry her product, assuring them she would assume the cost of any broken, bad or unsold eggs. The managers agreed, her eggs sold, and orders doubled. “We were on the cusp of organic product growth,” says Szymanski. Nest Fresh Eggs products are now carried in major markets and health-food stores in 11 states. HAPPY HENS: Szymanski’s hard work has not only freed chickens, but farmers as well. By outsourcing some production, she has enabled 10 local farmers to continue farming. This holds special significance for Szymanski, whose own family lost their farm when she was young. “We need people connected to the earth and the animals, who can do a job that’s hard,” says Szymanski. “Part of what we strive for is happy hens, happy humans.”
Got organic milk?
Researchers at Scotland’s Aberdeen University reported last December that organic milk contains high levels of omega-3, an essential fatty acid that nutritionists have said may help improve brain development in infants and reduce the risk of heart attacks and certain cancers in adults. The study concluded that, due to the higher proportion of clover forage in the diets of organically raised cows, organic milk contained about 71 percent more omega-3s than conventional milk.
A month before, another study showed–for the first time ever that a milk protein known as lactoferrin appears to cause rapid bone growth. New Zealand researchers have found that the compound not only inhibits bone breakdown but also boosts bone growth four times faster than normal. Such phenomenal bone growth may one day lead to the local application of lactoferrin to repair broken bones, suggested the study team. It may be able to correct osteoporosis.
A lot of work has been done seeking ways to prevent bone loss, but little was known–until now–about how to build new bone. Lactoferrin is found in both human and cows’ milk, and is particularly concentrated in colostrum–the substance newborns receive at birth before breast milk is fully established.
Lactoferrin is already sold as a nutritional supplement. It has been linked to a number of other health benefits, including use as an antiviral, antimicrobial and anticancer agent.
Osteoporosis currently affects 200 million people worldwide. The New Zealand team reported its findings last November at the Global Dairy Summit conference in Melbourne, Australia.
Organic dispute brewing in Colorado
A disagreement over the importance of pasture access has led to a dispute about what constitutes organic milk, and the battlegrounds are being drawn in Colorado.
The Wisconsin-based Cornucopia Institute, a family-farm advocate, claims that Aurora Organic Dairy, one of the chief raw milk suppliers to Horizon Organic, violates federal standards that require access to pasture for organic dairy cows.
But officials of the 5,700-head farm say they disagree with Cornucopia’s take on the regulations. The cows are treated humanely and produce high-quality milk, they say. And they have access to pasture at some stages in their production cycle. Cornucopia has filed a complaint with the National Organic Program, a regulatory unit of USDA.
Aurora is owned and operated by one of the pioneers of modern U.S. organic foods, Mark Retzloff. But some of his contemporaries, including George Siemon of Organic Valley Family of Farms, and Gary Hirshberg of Stonyfield Farm, agree with Cornucopia that all requirements of the National Organic Standards must be enforced.
However, Steve Demos, who now operates Dean Foods’ value-added division which includes Horizon Organic, supports Retzloff’s contention that some concessions should be allowed in the interest of converting a greater amount of acreage to organic farming and making organic products more affordable for mainstream consumers.
Meanwhile, Organic Valley has introduced “Rocky Mountain Pastures,” a line of milk made exclusively with milk from organic, pasture grazed Colorado cows and processed at a plant near Colorado Springs. An O.V. member farm is developing a herd of Brown Swiss and Tarentaise cows which they say adapt well to the Rocky Mountain climate and terrain.
Question raised on labor exemption for organic farmers
The pesticide industry is calling into question an exemption from California’s strict labor laws granted to the state’s organic farmers. According to the CropLife Foundation, the California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board late last year adopted an emergency regulation banning unnecessary hand weeding of crops by agricultural workers because of the substantial risk of back injury incurred while hand weeding. However, according to a CropLife statement certified organic growers are exempted from the rule.
The hand-weeding ban is the latest action to curb weed control practices that result in substantial risks of back injury from constant and repetitive labor in a stooped position. According to the foundation, the current hand-weeding ban is designed to close a loophole in a regulatory action of 1975 which banned weed removal by workers with short handled hoes. The short handled hoe was banned with no exemptions. However, says the foundation, because workers bend even farther during hand weeding, this practice is more injurious to workers backs than weeding with the short handled hoe.
Organic crop interests sought and were granted the exemption from the ban on hand weeding, claiming that they would incur “tremendous” economic losses if they were required to use laborers with long handled hoes rather than hand weeders. An analysis prepared by the CropLife Foundation appears to confirm that assertion. According to the foundation’s calculations, the economic benefits to organic growers from the hand weeding exemption is approximately $24 million, based on 775,000 hours of hand weeding exempted from the rulemaking.
Organic food company bags key trial in Wal-Mart’s aisles
In the organic food industry, getting your Low-Fat Garden Vegetable Lasagna in the freezer cases of world’s largest retailer, Wal-Mart Stores Inc., is occasion for serious celebration.
But it’s a milestone that Carson-based Cedarlane Natural Foods Inc., the nation’s second largest maker of natural frozen entrees, will have to share with its Petaluma-based arch-competitor, Amy’s Kitchen Inc.
Both companies are shipping boxes of frozen meals and snacks made with vegetarian, mostly certified-organic ingredients for a three-month test at selected Wal-Mart Supercenters and the company’s smaller Neighborhood Markets stores. One or both brands could get long-term shelf space alongside Earthbound Farm’s bagged organic salads and Kashi Co.’s wholegrain cereals.
Better known for targeting working-class families, the Bentonville, Ark.-based retail behemoth is making forays into the yuppie market, particularly at its Supercenters, which merge a full grocery store with its flagship discount format.
Wal-Mart worked with around 3,000 new suppliers last year, according to Amy Hill, a company spokeswoman. Sometimes companies approach Wal-Mart, she said, but this time it was a Wal-Mart buyer who suggested adding Cedarlane and Amy’s. Cedarlane will supply 15 Wal-Mart distribution centers that serve 777 stores in the Midwest. Amy’s will supply most of the rest of the country.
Both companies already have a national presence in conventional grocery stores. In Southern California, Cedarlane products are available at Ralphs, Vons, Albertsons Inc., Stater Bros., Gelson’s and Bristol Farms markets, as well as the Whole Foods Market chain.
“We’ll target our products to whatever retailer has the customer base that wants our kind of product,” said Cedarlane spokesman Terry Mayo.
CEO Views
From a poll of 112 chief executives in the Los Angeles area.
* Will your employee count rise, fall or remain
stable over the next 12 months?
Increase 59%
About the same 38
Decrease 3
* What concerns you most about the economy?
Higher fuel prices 53%
Rising interest rates 14
Inflation 10
Rising deficit 8
Cost of Iraq war 5
No concern 3
Organic Fruit
Some people maintain organic fruit is better for you than regular fruit, and some believe that it even tastes better. Organic fruit is grown using organic gardening and farming methods. Methods often differ from farmer to farmer, but the one thing that is consistent is that organic farmers don’t use pesticides or other chemicals on their crops. Instead, they use natural means.
Organic Fruit Health Benefits
Fruit is simply good for you, even if it isn’t organic. However, growing fruit organically strengthens the plant’s natural defenses. If the fruit is sprayed with chemicals, it has no need to develop these natural defense mechanisms against disease and insects. These natural defenses translate to added nutrition for your body.
Organic Fruit is Chemical Free
Also, the absence of chemicals is also benefits your body. There is some controversy surrounding the use of chemicals in farming and your overall health. Some believe that they harm the body and others believe that the effects are negligible. Either way, organic fruit is free of these chemicals so it is a non-issue.
Purchasing Organic Fruit
As little as ten years ago, it was difficult finding high quality organic produce. Now, there are markets and co-ops all over the country who specialize in providing organic fruit to the public. Mainstream supermarkets are also starting to include organic fruit in their produce sections. Don’t be afraid if you see a splotch or slight blemish on the surface of the fruit’s skin. This means that the farmer didn’t use chemicals to help prevent them from forming. The blemishes are harmless.
Growing Organic Fruit
You can also grow your own organic fruit. Before you begin, make sure you research proper planting methods and how to care for them. Organic gardening involves using special fertilizers, weeding, maintaining an organic compost pile, and testing the soil to make sure it is at the proper PH level.
Organic fruit is better for both your body and the environment. Farmers use methods that are friendlier to the earth, and the lack of chemicals in the organic fruit benefits your body.