Up until now I have supported what little I knew about the organic movement. The idea of eating pesticide-free and locally grown food has been agreeable, and I've joined email lists for various grassroots organizations that seek to make the movement more mainstream. I'd done my part. Or so I thought.
After running out of milk last week, my friend Corri and I made a quick stop to my local grocer. Corri is much more educated than I about all things organic and healthful, and as we entered I mentioned that I'd been wanting to try organic milk, but I was having trouble justifying the $2 more per gallon that I would have to spend. My roommate Colleen has switched over, but she only goes through a half gallon every 2 weeks whereas I drink about a gallon a week, so the cost difference is substantial. When Corri found out how much milk I drink she raised her eyebrows and told me that it was all the more reason to go organic. I asked how she figured.
1. Think of the amount of pesticides, hormones, and antibiotics that I am putting into m
y body on a weekly basis.
y body on a weekly basis.2. Think of the treatment of the number of animals involved in my dairy consumption when they are naturally grass fed as opposed to corn fed on feed lots.
3. Think of the small farmers attempting to produce milk in a healthful and environmentally conscious way who need to be supported financially in order to survive.
Oh, right.
When put like that it seemed like the extra $2 per gallon was well worth it. $2 per gallon for any one of those three things would be worth it. But the ironic thing to me was that causes like those are things I would send a donation to, but when it came down to my daily decision-making, I wasn't investing my dollar where it could make a real difference. In fact, I was supporting the big guys who were continuing to do all the things I disagree with! I had been all talk in my concern for this issue, and it surprised me. I haven't yet taken a good, hard look to see what other areas of my life I act the same way, but I've been stewing about the milk all week and I'm starting to feel pretty compelled.
Anybody want to join me?
1 comment:
yay!! way to come over to my side. I love organic milk and I've started getting buying organic, vegetarian-fed, free range eggs. Not only do they taste better but they're good for all the things you just mentioned. :-D ps I'm coming to Jen's next weekend for the day so I can see you and Mom and Dad and I'm calling you tomorrow!
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