Five Steps to Improving Your Food Chain

Let’s face it, something’s got to be done to improve the security and safeness of the food we buy. Whether it’s produce, food for your dog or toothpaste for the family, our health is in jeopardy and we’re playing Russian Roulette, never knowing what’s going to be next.

Here are some ideas you may want to consider, and remember, until our regulators get their act together, our food chain may get worse before it gets better.

Think Fresh/Think Hydroponic

Think fresh, think local. Instead of just thinking of stopping at the local produce stand, actually stop. Spread your grocery dollars around and buy locally. Buy food grown in your state or region if possible. It’s worth the effort. Begin thinking hydroponic. No soil, way cleaner and yes, a little more expensive but worth it.

Think Organic (As in Milk)

Even Wal-Mart carries 2-3 brands of organic milk. Large milk producers are using antibiotics to treat diseases such as mastitis in dairy cows, that gets into the milk. Long term, short term effects, who knows, but when there are recalls, where do you think they’re going to start. Too little is known about these additives that even the developers aren’t telling us. Again, spread your dollars and switch when you can.

Think Better Meat

Mega meat producers are in the same boat as the mega milk corps. From growth hormones to sick animals to unclean conditions, recalls are going to increase until the FDA changes hands. Protecting your family could be as simple as substituting one or two meals a week. Instead of eating a chicken, cow or pig from your regular grocery store, go outside the box and find a place that sells free range animal meat, like a small meat market, or health food store, or don’t eat meat at all. Do some creative meal planning and give it a break.

Think American

Let’s face it, we’re paying a much larger price than we want to admit for products imported and sold at so called ‘low prices’. Unless the FDA can muster hundreds of inspectors under new stringent training programs, we’re going to continue to get zapped with contaminated foods. Get onboard and let’s all start going American. There are great American produced toothpastes, apples, canned and fresh fruit and vegetables. A new labeling program, sponsored by US Grown will hopefully make it easier to identify these companies and products, in the mean time, find out which ones they are and buy them anyway.

Think Growing Your Own

It may sound harder than it is. There are scores of hydroponic books and kits as well as gardening books that show you exactly how to grow food any where. From apartment dwelling to your front yard you can grow something. Teaching your self and your children this ‘ancient’ practice could be the most rewarding thing you’ve done in years. Get a book and try it. Growing food like growing children requires regular attention, some nurturing and patience, but is easy once you develop the habit.