October 9, 2015
By Josie Moyer
Once upon a time, organic food was available only at health food stores, marketed to tree-huggers willing to pay extra for natural and environment-friendly food. Today, organic foods are undeniably mainstream, and can be found in grocery stores and on restaurant menus around the island. But what are you paying for when you buy organic?
According to USDA standards, “100% Organic” indicates that the meat, eggs and dairy products you’re buying are free of antibiotics and artificial growth hormones. Fruits and vegetables labeled “organic” were grown without pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and ionizing radiation. These practices are deemed better for the environment, limit the amount of pesticides you are exposed to and reduce the proliferation of dangerous pathogens such as antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Simply stated, people who buy organic desire safer, purer, more natural foods and are seeking assurance that food production is gentle to the earth.
When many people think of living a more organic lifestyle, they might picture the modern day homesteader who grows their own food while living off the grid in a house they built with recycled materials. While this is the epitome of living organically, you really don’t have to go that extreme to live a more organic lifestyle. More and more Guam businesses are making organic foods and products readily available to island consumers.
Local farm Grow Guam produces pesticide and herbicide-free hydroponic lettuce, kale, tomatoes and arugula that can be found at major grocery stores including Pay-Less Supermarkets and Cost-U-Less.
Another way to eat healthy and to support local farmers at the same time is to subscribe to the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program provided by Farm to Table Guam Corp. Each week, CSA subscribers receive a box of local fruits, vegetables, herbs, spices direct from local farms, with the assurance of the freshest product and best value. Although everything in the box might not be 100% organic, Farm to Table makes a concerted effort to source farmers that apply sustainable and natural farming practices.
Aside from produce, meat and dairy, organic dry foods can be found on the shelves of major grocery stores on island and in specialized stores. Some health and wellness restaurants include Nuts and Grains, Healthy Hearts, Simply Food and Heavenly Veggies. At these restaurant-shops, you can do your grocery shopping and also enjoy healthy meals and nutritious treats.
