Consumer Education
Definitions You Need To Know
Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation, also known as a factory farm. 99% of meat produced in the United States is produced at CAFO’s.
CAFO
GMO
Genetically Modified Organism - This entails that the organism has undergone gene mutations. Organisms that have been genetically modified include micro-organisms such as bacteria and yeast, insects, plants, fish, and mammals. This is classified as an un-reliable label because many foods that have been genteically modified are not labeled. Genetically modified products do not have to be labeled on foods, even though their safety is still up for debate in the scientific community. About 75% of processed foods available on shelves and in freezer aisles contain at least one ingredient that’s been genetically modified.
Direct Trade
A term often used by coffee roasters who buy directly from growers, which cuts out the middlemen buyers and is less strict than Fair Trade certification.
Artificial
Natural
Artificial means that the designated product or ingredient was started from scratch and synthesized with chemicals to resemble a familiar shape, color, or taste.
Natural means that the designated product or ingredient was created from plants, bacteria byproducts, or naturally occuring molecules. These ingredients are, however, able to be altered and processed in factories.
Artisan
Artisan implies that the product was hand-made. However, be aware of products labeled as "artisan style," because that does not mean that it was hand-made, but rather that it looks like it or was processed by machines in a similar way to a human.
Local
Local means that the product was either farmed or processed in a region relatively close to you (100 mile radius). Most of the fossil fuels consumed during the food production process are consumed during the transportation stage. Each food item in a typical US meal has travelled 1,500 miles from farm to plate.
Biodynamic
"Biodynamics is a spiritual-ethical-ecological approach to agriculture, food production and nutrition... Biodynamic farmers strive to create a diversified, balanced farm ecosystem that generates health and fertility as much as possible from within the farm itself" (https://www.biodynamics.com/biodynamics.html). Farmers who practice this try to be "in-sync" with nature.
Cage-Free
While cage free hens are not kept in confined areas, they are still housed in coops where they are crammed in with other hens and have little space to move around. These coops often have little to no ventilation or light, and the hens rarely go outside.
Sustainable
A system that is able to maintain its viability for present and future generations. A sustainable food system should positively benefit the economy, society, and the environment.
CSA
Community Supported Agriculture - a system where community members can either pay a farmer at the beginning of the farming season, or pledge to work a set number of hours for the farmer throughout the season, and in return are given a relative share of the produce as it is harvested throughout the season. This allows farmers the ability to buy all of the necessary seeds and fertilizer in the spring, and allows the community member fresh produce for "free" throughout the season.