Within the past few years, there has been a steady increase in the push towards eating organic due to the supposed health benefits and environmental factors associated with organic food. Stores like Trader Joe's and Whole Foods have popped up all over the place (even all across Minnesota) and it really causes me to question this whole organic food thing, even as a feminist issue. First of all, because feminism is usually about taking measures to protect and champion for marginalized individuals, and I would argue that the earth has been quite victimized. As a result, are organic foods really helpful towards decreasing one's negative impacts on the environment? Does it really mean eating healthier? And is it available for everyone?
Well... statistics say no. Organic food has not been proven to provide drastic health benefits, eating food produced locally, as opposed to organic food that potentially had a several thousand mile journey to your grocery store, is what will most effectively reduce one's carbon footprint, and that eating organic is mainly a trend among middle/upper class white people.
So, I question whether or not eating organic really is helpful for the consumer, the producer, and to the environment itself. Also, through organic food consumption, we can see a distinct pattern of socioeconomic statuses and races that do the consuming. So! Is this a feminist issue or do I just think too hard...?
I think I'm with you on this one, as I have been wondering about the organic food movement for a couple of years now. I am always perplexed when I go into the store and select something that is organic... often I can't tell the difference between organic and non-organic when I'm eating. It is indicative of marketplace choice -- organic just being another one of the choices that you are offered in a system of capitalist patriarchy. What is behind door 1? True organic food would be food that you and your friends/family produced yourself.
I think this is an interesting issue that you are bringing to light here -- how is the organic food movement related to marketplace choice? Are the limitations of organic food evidence of a capitalist patriarchy that limits your choices to a few pre-ordained options? I think the answer is yes, and if that is the case, then organic food is certainly a feminist issue. Where is it that this food is coming from? Certainly there is labor behind it.
What about the portrayal of the earth as a Mother? This always confused me as a kid.
It's good you mentioned local foods. There is also a trend towards eating seasonally. Seasonal foods are fresher and cheaper. The problem with living in Minnesota is that not a whole lot is grown locally during the winter.
Organic food is often grown alongside other crops on the same farm. It might become a feminist issue when you explore how that affects agricultural worker's conditions.