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"So many people are confused when it comes to what different terms like organic, conventional or natural mean," says Amy Marlow, MPH, RD.  The survey found that 36 percent of moms were not sure, or thought that organic and natural mean the same thing on a deli meat label.

Marlow says that eating organic food offers a whole range of benefits, including:

In this interview, author Anna Lappé explains how our current food system is contributing to global warming, and why organic agriculture offers hope for a healthier and more sustainable solution to climate change.  

The Center for Science in the Public Interest issued a report entitled “Food Dyes: A Rainbow of Risks,” outlines health concerns posed by the nine currently approved dyes used on conventionally produced foods.

There are a number of really great advantages to buying organic foods (especially vegetables and fruits), over buying conventionally grown foods:

1. Organic foods contain more nutrients
Studies have shown that foods grown organically have more of the nutrients available in the foods, compared to foods grown conventionally.

GREENFIELD, Mass. (July 1, 2010): In response to a call from the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) to ban synthetic dyes to color foods, the Organic Trade Association (OTA) today reminded consumers that they can already avoid such dyes in the marketplace by choosing to purchase organic foods.

Courtesy of Stemilt Growers, Inc.

Serves 8

Courtesy of Stemilt Growers, Inc.

Serves 4

Ingredients:
2 large Piñata apples
8 slices sturdy organic bread (such as country Italian or multi-grain)
4 teaspoons organic butter, softened
½ - ¾ pound sliced organic Smoked Turkey
8 thin slices organic cheddar cheese

Courtesy of Stemilt Growers, Inc.

Ingredients for the filling
8-10 large organic peaches, peeled and cut into thin wedges
¼ cup organic sugar
1 tablespoon fresh organic lemon juice
2 teaspoons cornstarch

For the biscuit topping
1 cup organic flour
½ cup organic sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
¾ stick cold, unsalted organic butter, cut into small pieces
¼ cup boiling water

Courtesy of Stemilt Growers, Inc.

Serves 8

8 cups mixed organic salad greens, divided
1 ripe organic mango, peeled and chopped
1 small, ripe organic avocado, chopped
½ cup pitted, sliced organic cherries
¼ cup of sliced organic almonds
Organic raspberry vinaigrette bottled dressing, to taste

The local and organic food movement is spreading to an area not commonly associated with freshness, or even taste: hospital kitchens. Advocates say higher-quality produce, and smaller servings of meat, will help patients.

But the idea, which stems from a trial documented by a Johns Hopkins public health study, has its critics.

The Hopkins paper argues that sustainably raised meat has less cholesterol and more vitamins than traditionally produced meat.