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March 1, 2008

Organic food fans trumpet benefits

By Kim Sloan

Two weeks ago, a major beef recall caused the phone to ring off the hook at Animal Welfare Approved, a non-profit organization that helps family farms that prohibit cruel animal conditions.

The Georgia Department of Education ordered more than two dozen school districts across the state to stop serving beef supplied by a California slaughterhouse under federal investigation for mistreating animals. Dalton Public Schools and Murray County schools were two of those districts.

“We couldn’t buy that kind of publicity,” said Emily Lancaster, a farmer and part of the market outreach team for the organization about the recall, which was nationwide.

Animal Welfare Approved is an organization that supports family farms that adhere to strict standards for the treatment of the animals. The organization is a division of the Animal Welfare Institute, whose campaigns include saving whales to ending scientific experiments on animals.

Lancaster was part of the Georgia Organics Conference, which brought together farmers, conservationists and other organizations to the Northwest Georgia Trade and Convention Center. Organic food is classified as food that is grown without additives such as antibiotics or growth supplements.

The conference ended Saturday.

“Organics are taking hold because consumers are demanding it,” Lancaster said.

Gerd Oppenheim is one of the first farmers in Louisiana to be certified as an organic farmer in his home state. He made the trek from Norwood, La., which is near Baton Rouge, to Dalton to promote his seed coating, which can increase productivity on diverse crops such as wheat, corn and soybeans.

He, like others in attendance, believe organic food is superior to what you can get in the grocery store.

“I think your fruit stays fresher longer and it’s sweeter,” Oppenheim said.

Many scoff at organic food because it costs more.

“Americans are out of touch with how much it costs to produce food,” Lancaster said. “Very little money goes to the farmers because food production is subsidized. The true costs aren’t reflected.”

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