Rituals and Stereotypes about Organic Food
People who choose to eat organic food are generally stereotyped as Birkenstock wearing, granola crunching, tree hugging hippies. However, the mainstream of organic food consumers has moved into the urban space. A blog post on NBCNews.com (2014) stated that suburban moms are buying more organic products than their conventional counterparts. Organic food is more popular because of the standards set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which requires the food to be free of harmful chemicals and pesticides in order to be classified as organic.Another stereotype that goes along with this line of thinking is that organic food is more expensive than conventional products. Stores like Whole Foods are targeting the cost-conscious consumers now more than ever in their weekly ads, offering coupons and advertising meals that cost less than $4 per serving.
Organic stereotyping also reaches into the farming world. The crop dusters, who apply products for crop protection as well as fertilizer and seeds, say that there is a lot of misinformation about what they do. Environmentalists call them “menaces to organic famers” (Shultz, 2014) because they spray chemicals and pesticides on the crops. In an editorial by Andrew Campbell, M.D., Editor in Chief, in the Alternative Therapies Journal (2012) he states that most people buy organic to avoid chemicals rather than for their nutritional value.
The insight gained from looking as these stereotypes is just how misinformed the public can be when it comes to controversial topics like organic vs. conventional. I encourage everyone to do some research on this topic, and then make intelligent, informed decisions on what you eat. Your health depends on it!
References
Campbell, A. W. (2012). Organic vs Conventional. Alternative Therapies In Health & Medicine, 18(6), 8-9.
NBCNew.com (2014). Retrieved from http://www.nbcnews.com/id/13924326
Schultz, R. (August 17, 2014). Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved from http://host.madison.com/business/crop-dusters-battle-stereotypes-as-they- thrive-with-expanded-roles/article_31307078-71c1-5d60-ad7a-ad952f20436d.html
Great blog, I also agree with your findings in that people are misinformed or do not have the willingness to seek out the correct information on touchy subjects. The more willing someone is to seek both sides of the debate the more able they are to see the truth in the debate and will make a sound and educated decision.
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