My position as education director for our cooperative means I am responsible for giving our member-owners accurate information about the products we provide for them. Asking questions about the veracity of the information provided on a website promoting a product is part of my job. Since the inception of our co-op in 1936, our education mission has been to give all sides of a story so that our member-owners can make informed decisions and be critical thinkers when it comes to the food industry. This includes asking questions about organic as it is practiced by the food industry today. I work directly for the consumers of the goods our co-op purchases for them. I agree on the need for accuracy. Messaging, on the other hand, is not in my vocabulary. I am not marketing organic, I am asking questions for our member-owners.
Rosemary Fifield
Director of Education and Member Services Co-op Food Stores
Hanover and Lebanon, NH
www.coopfoodstore.coop
This is a beautiful expression of why co-ops are different. It is not about marketing. It is not about deciding for you. It is about giving you information so you can make your own decision. The current issues with peanut butter are far reaching and disturbing to many of us who have worked for years to keep our food safe. When organic products are being recalled, we start to wonder about things – how bad is it? Can it be fixed? Can companies claim that the products they manufacture are safe because they are organic? Seems their granola bars have a bit of a problem.
We have created an environment in which cheap food is demanded and cost cutting common. Facilities are not properly monitored and inspected. The industrialization of food presents some significant challenges and more importantly makes me wonder – do I need granola bars or little debbie anything? What about buying local produce and meats from producers I know. Do I really want strawberries from china or apples from chile when both can grow in my backyard? Why do we talk about ‘marketing’ and ‘manufacturing’ food.
I want to eat food that is cooked – not manufactured.
