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 on People
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). According to Anne Getty, eating organic foods helps maintain healthy body weight, a lower risk for consuming diseases, and avoidance of GM's (genetically modified foods).
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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 on People
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). According to Anne Getty, eating organic foods helps maintain healthy body weight, a lower risk for consuming diseases, and avoidance of GM's (genetically modified foods).
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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! Are the costs worth it? We'd say so!
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! Are the costs worth it? We'd say so!
- Good organic fresh fruits and vegetables are juicy and full-flavored, milk tastes richer, cheeses are ripe and mouthwatering.
- One of the huge advantages of organic foods is that they haven't been doused in pesticides.
- Perhaps one of the prime advantages of organic food is that it is pure food, nothing more, nothing less. Forget E-numbers, hydrogenated fats, artificial colours, flavours, sweeteners, preservatives – none of the additives lurking in processed and fast food are permitted in organic foods. There are no residual antibiotics, growth hormones or BSE in organic meat, no pesticides in organic milk.
- Genetically modified – GM – food isn't used in organic products.
- Organic foods can be more nutritious, richer in vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids than non-organic.
- One of the greatest advantages of organic foods is that buying and eating them is a real, guilt-free pleasure, which is more than you can say for the average supermarket shop. It's great to know that you're not only helping the environment, you're feeding your family on good, pure food, that tastes better than processed food, and has no hidden unhealthies. That feels good.
Here we conducted a taste test with organic apples vs. pesticide used apples.
Does organic food have a better or worse taste?
Conclusion
After compiling our research we found that while organic food is more expensive those who tried it or were exposed to the truth of factory farming were likely to enjoy organic food or reconsider thier diet. However, our data also shows an inconclusive poll in favor of organic food taste wise. All numerical data collected on the subject was so close that the two were nearly tied. While our interviews were telling many of them had technical difficulties that inhibit their ability to provide information to make and argument. However what we did do was learn about the different factors that go into the descisons attributed to diet selection. We looked at the prices that often lead people the economically drive industrial food. We challenged taste where the poll was split right down the middle between organic food and non-organic. We looked at those who kept to different diets and asked them if they knew what went into the creation of their food. We saw that information could prove the difference in if people would make a change in diet.
After compiling our research we found that while organic food is more expensive those who tried it or were exposed to the truth of factory farming were likely to enjoy organic food or reconsider thier diet. However, our data also shows an inconclusive poll in favor of organic food taste wise. All numerical data collected on the subject was so close that the two were nearly tied. While our interviews were telling many of them had technical difficulties that inhibit their ability to provide information to make and argument. However what we did do was learn about the different factors that go into the descisons attributed to diet selection. We looked at the prices that often lead people the economically drive industrial food. We challenged taste where the poll was split right down the middle between organic food and non-organic. We looked at those who kept to different diets and asked them if they knew what went into the creation of their food. We saw that information could prove the difference in if people would make a change in diet.
If you want a diet based on natural food that hasn't been tampered with – think organic.
To learn more about eating organically, Click here!