Buy Organic and Grass Fed

Buy Organic and Grass Fed

What can be done about all of these problems? From an individual standpoint, one of the most proactive things you can do to promote change is to vote with your wallet by buying organic (or even better, biodynamic) grass fed meats and animal products.

Livestock is an important part of regenerative agriculture, and when raised and integrated properly, the waste from the animals goes straight back into and feeds the ecological cycle rather than becoming a source of pollution.

While many grocery stores now carry organic foods, it’s preferable to source yours from local growers whenever possible, as many organic foods sold in grocery stores are imported.26 If you live in the U.S., the following organizations can help you locate farm-fresh foods:

Demeter USA — Demeter-USA.org provides a directory of certified Biodynamic farms and brands. This directory can also be found on BiodynamicFood.org.

American Grassfed Association — The goal of the American Grassfed Association is to promote the grass fed industry through government relations, research, concept marketing and public education. Their website also allows you to search for AGA approved producers certified according to strict standards that include being raised on a diet of 100% forage; raised on pasture and never confined to a feedlot; never treated with antibiotics or hormones; and born and raised on American family farms.

EatWild.com — EatWild.com provides lists of farmers known to produce raw dairy products as well as grass fed beef and other farm-fresh produce (although not all are certified organic). Here you can also find information about local farmers markets, as well as local stores and restaurants that sell grass fed products.

Weston A. Price Foundation — Weston A. Price has local chapters in most states, and many of them are connected with buying clubs in which you can easily purchase organic foods, including grass fed raw dairy products like milk and butter.

Grassfed Exchange — The Grassfed Exchange has a listing of producers selling organic and grass fed meats across the U.S.

Local Harvest — This website will help you find farmers markets, family farms and other sources of sustainably grown food in your area where you can buy produce, grass fed meats and many other goodies.

Farmers Markets — A national listing of farmers markets.

Eat Well Guide: Wholesome Food from Healthy Animals — The Eat Well Guide is a free online directory of sustainably raised meat, poultry, dairy and eggs from farms, stores, restaurants, inns, hotels and online outlets in the United States and Canada.

Community Involved in Sustaining Agriculture (CISA) — CISA is dedicated to sustaining agriculture and promoting the products of small farms.

The Cornucopia Institute — The Cornucopia Institute maintains web-based tools rating all certified organic brands of eggs, dairy products and other commodities, based on their ethical sourcing and authentic farming practices separating CAFO "organic" production from authentic organic practices.

RealMilk.com — If you're still unsure of where to find raw milk, check out Raw-Milk-Facts.com and RealMilk.com. They can tell you what the status is for legality in your state, and provide a listing of raw dairy farms in your area. The Farm to Consumer Legal Defense Fund27 also provides a state-by-state review of raw milk laws.28 California residents can also find raw milk retailers using the store locator available at www.OrganicPastures.com.

  Sources and References

• 1 NRDC, Cesspools of Shame July 2001
• 2, 8 Vice News October 17, 2018
• 3 Epidemiology. 2011 Mar; 22(2): 208–215
• 4 Environ Health Perspect. 2008 Oct; 116(10): 1362–1368
• 5 Environmental Health Perspectives October 28, 2012
• 6 NC Swine Farm Nuisance Litigation
• 7 North Carolina Medical Journal 2018 Sep-Oct;79(5):278-288
• 9 Progressive Pulse May 7, 2018
• 10 Progressive Pulse June 29, 2018
• 11 NC Policy Watch August 3, 2018
• 12 PBS.org, Frontline News October 14, 2014
• 13 FDA.gov, 2009 Summary Report on Antimicrobials Sold or Distributed for Use in Food Producing Animals (PDF)
• 14 Food Safety News February 24, 2011
• 15 EWG.org June 28, 2018 Press Release
• 16 EWG.org June 28, 2018
• 17 Environmental Health Perspectives 2015 Apr;123(4):337-43
• 18 The Week March 30, 2015
• 19 Texas Tribune March 29, 2015
• 20 Environmental Health Perspectives April 2015: 123(4)
• 21, 23 Texas Monthly
• 22 Food Safety News January 23, 2015
• 24 U.S. EPA, Estimated Animal Agriculture Nitrogen and Phosphorus From Manure
• 25 Environmental Integrity Project October 11, 2018, Water Pollution From Slaughterhouses
• 26 U.S. Organic Trade Data: 2011 to 2016
• 27 The Farm to Consumer Legal Defense Fund
• 28 The Farm to Consumer Legal Defense Fund, State by State Review of Raw Milk Laws