Collaborative Research Project
Samantha Olenowski, Alissa Francisco, Katie Collins, and David Reyes
Did you know?
The U.S Food and Drug Administration estimates that roughly 20 pounds of pesticides per person are used every year. And of those pesticides, at least 59% are classified as carcinogenic?
The U.S Food and Drug Administration estimates that roughly 20 pounds of pesticides per person are used every year. And of those pesticides, at least 59% are classified as carcinogenic?
Our main research question:
Why should organic foods be the number one choice that people make?
Secondary research questions:
1. What are the benefits of eating organic and locally grown products?
2. How does eating organic and locally grown foods affect your body as compared to products that are sold in the supermarket?
3. Is buying healthy foods financially beneficial and is it affordable?
4. Why are people choosing the foods that they buy?
5. Are consumers aware of the food industry?
Why should organic foods be the number one choice that people make?
Secondary research questions:
1. What are the benefits of eating organic and locally grown products?
2. How does eating organic and locally grown foods affect your body as compared to products that are sold in the supermarket?
3. Is buying healthy foods financially beneficial and is it affordable?
4. Why are people choosing the foods that they buy?
5. Are consumers aware of the food industry?
What does Organic mean?
The word "organic" refers to the way farmers grow and process agricultural products, such as fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy products and meat. Organic farming practices are designed to encourage soil and water conservation and reduce pollution. Farmers who grow organic produce and meat don't use conventional methods to fertilize, control weeds or prevent livestock disease. For example, rather than using chemical weedkillers, organic farmers may conduct more sophisticated crop rotations and spread mulch or manure to keep weeds at bay.
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What does Non-Organic mean?
The definition of non-organic farming also known as "conventional farming" is simply the use of synthetic products, possibly toxic pesticides, herbicides, sewage sludge on fruits and vegetables to enhance and protect the viability of the crop. Alterations of animals raised in a conventional setting are also possible to enhance the bi-product of the animal, such as the use of recombinant bovine somatotropin (rBST) hormones in cows to produce more milk.
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Effects of Pesticides in Children
Consequently, infants and children take the brunt of the toxins left in and on our food from residues. Sadly, the trouble can start in pregnancy. According to Marla Cone, Los Angeles Times staff writer, she reports a new research study done by California health officials suggests pregnant women that lived near crops that used organochlorine, endosulfan, and dicofol during the first three months of pregnancy could have children who are at significantly greater risk for developing Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).
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What does Non-Organic mean?
The definition of non-organic farming also known as "conventional farming" is simply the use of synthetic products, possibly toxic pesticides, herbicides, sewage sludge on fruits and vegetables to enhance and protect the viability of the crop. Alterations of animals raised in a conventional setting are also possible to enhance the bi-product of the animal, such as the use of recombinant bovine somatotropin (rBST) hormones in cows to produce more milk.
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Effects of Pesticides in Children
Consequently, infants and children take the brunt of the toxins left in and on our food from residues. Sadly, the trouble can start in pregnancy. According to Marla Cone, Los Angeles Times staff writer, she reports a new research study done by California health officials suggests pregnant women that lived near crops that used organochlorine, endosulfan, and dicofol during the first three months of pregnancy could have children who are at significantly greater risk for developing Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).
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Types of Food Containing Pesticides
Comparison of Coventional VS. Organic
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Price Comparisons
Price Comparisons
Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs: $1.79 lb.
Cooked Shrimp: $7.47 lb. Pineapple: $2.99 ea. Lemons: 4 for $0.99 ShopRite Sausage: $1.88 lb. Navel Oranges: 4 for $2.99 Chicken Tenders: $1.99 |
Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs: $3.49lb.
Cooked Shrimp: $9.99lb. Pineapple: $3.99 ea. Lemons: 2 for $1.00 Store-Made Sausage: $4.49 lb. Navel Oranges: 4 for $3.00 Chicken Tenders: $4.49 |
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Are the Costs Worth it?
Although we are aware that there is research out there that says there is no taste difference between organic foods and non-organic foods, we conducted a taste testing with organic and non-organic products and we found that the participants actually liked the organic food better!
Here we conducted a taste test with organic apples vs. pesticide used apples.
Does organic food have a better or worse taste?
Are the Costs Worth it?
Although we are aware that there is research out there that says there is no taste difference between organic foods and non-organic foods, we conducted a taste testing with organic and non-organic products and we found that the participants actually liked the organic food better!
Here we conducted a taste test with organic apples vs. pesticide used apples.
Does organic food have a better or worse taste?
Some books we used....
This recipe book not only contains recipes but 2 chapters on how to convert to an organic life style.
The book offers:
The book offers:
- Definition of "organic"
- Reasons to go organic
- Breaking out of the "pesticide lifestyle"
- List of produce, vegetables,poultry, dairy, seafood that contains pesticides
- Ways to decode labels
- Money saving tips
- Safe cook wares
- LOADS OF RECIPES!
Michael Pollan author of The Omnivour's Dilema, proposes a new answer to the question of what we should eat that comes down to 7 simple words: Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.
He also talks of:
He also talks of:
- How modern science has affected the food industry through re-engineering foods, byproducts, and using pesticides/anti-biotics to increase animal growth,
- Defining how the food industry truly operates
Organic Entree Recipe from Anna Getty's Easy Green Organic