the organic brigade

[heebiejeebie]

This is an interesting thread - thanks all!

I did a lesson on organic vs intensive farming (the exam board's words) with my students (just ordinary kids aged 16) yesterday. It's surprising how little they actially know.

Responses to the question 'Why do some people pay extra for "organic" veg':
- because it's better for you
- because it tastes better
- because it's got no whaddayacallits on it
- because it's more expensive (I asked for that )

Responses to 'what's the difference between "organic" and the "normal" stuff'
- uh?
- it's more... ummmm... dunno really miss

These are the people who will be taking their earnings to the supermarkets next year and choosing what to buy based on whatever the adverts tell them. I'd be happy if they just buy veg - any sort - rather than ready meals and alcopops.

My point (if I have one)- What is the target market of the organic veg industry? It's certainly not the money conscious "average" young adults who barely know where food comes from.

[Snadger]

This is an interesting thread - thanks all!

I did a lesson on organic vs intensive farming (the exam board's words) with my students (just ordinary kids aged 16) yesterday. It's surprising how little they actially know.

Responses to the question 'Why do some people pay extra for "organic" veg':
- because it's better for you
- because it tastes better
- because it's got no whaddayacallits on it
- because it's more expensive (I asked for that )

Responses to 'what's the difference between "organic" and the "normal" stuff'
- uh?
- it's more... ummmm... dunno really miss

These are the people who will be taking their earnings to the supermarkets next year and choosing what to buy based on whatever the adverts tell them. I'd be happy if they just buy veg - any sort - rather than ready meals and alcopops.

My point (if I have one)- What is the target market of the organic veg industry? It's certainly not the money conscious "average" young adults who barely know where food comes from.

Middle class suburbia...along with recycling as well???

[TonyF]

I thought that composting was recycling - where do you draw the line then?

[Alison]

Isn't this all down to personal choice and lifestyle?

Down here you can go to the larger supermarkets and buy the graded veggies and fruit (a la EU) or get the French produced stuff (not always graded) or get the locally produced stuff, usually farm grown and sold direct and that goes for meat, nuts, everything. Part of farmer registration here is that farmers can also (usually) sell their produce direct and don't have to go through a middle person.

I use the bio co-op for some things, the local markets for others and the supermarkets for convenience but usually go for the French produced stuff rather than buying stuff flown here. All it takes is a bit of thought and savvy, like when the embargo was on South African fruit and veg, if we dont buy the airmiles food and tell the supermarkets that we don't want it, then if they truly are listening and really want 'customer choice' perhaps they would listen to that argument.

Ah but you have an advantage of some of us, Tony, you live in a country which has a much better food ethos. As with most of non UK Europe, the average Joe / Jo knows far more about food and ingredients than in this country. Sad but true so make the most of what sounds like a very good choice.

[Tigerella]

Hi

[QUOTE][Ah but you have an advantage of some of us, Tony, you live in a country which has a much better food ethos. As with most of non UK Europe, the average Joe / Jo knows far more about food and ingredients than in this country. Sad but true so make the most of what sounds like a very good choice./QUOTE]

I agree with that. I had a unvaried diet when I was younger, but I have tried butternut squash, and now I am growing my own I may try others too.
We can learn to eat better.

Tigerella

[Paulottie]

Ok tigerella, Try frying acouple of onions adding acouple of teaspoons of Thai green chille paste a couple of butternuts in cubes and simmer till cooked liquidize-one of those wands great-add a tin or two of coconut milk and heat.

Scrummy