Easing Chemicals Out of Food
Sometimes the phrase “convergence of forces” is more than an astrologer’s sales pitch. Take the case of agricultural chemicals. Science, economics, environmentalism and consumer desire are converging to encourage “sustainable yield” farming that relies less on chemicals. Once considered unprofitable, it’s now moving into the commercial mainstream.
The U.S. food supply is among the world’s safest, thanks largely to federal regulation and testing. But American farmers are rethinking a once-firm belief that chemicals are necessary.
As a recent story by Times reporter Mark Arax demonstrated, major Central Valley grape growers and other farmers (though just a fraction of the produce industry) are increasingly using composts, mulches and beneficial cover crops and insects in order to reduce their dependence on chemical fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides. Their reasons are sound:
* Questions linger about what level of pesticide residues is safe, particularly for children.
* Farm chemicals that produced miracles in the 1950s became less effective as bugs developed resistance, raising costs high enough on some crops to make more natural methods competitive.
* Low-chemical farming enriches the soil instead of depleting it, and reduces runoff pollution.
* Many consumers want fewer chemicals used on food crops. But here’s a hitch: Supermarkets note that when they offer organic produce, customers resist the higher price, shorter shelf life and “imperfect” appearance.
So, perhaps food retailers could try a little more education on their customers. Good signage could discuss shelf life and appearance, noting that minor blemishes may be unimportant. Grocers could thus help create the demand they say is missing--and perhaps discover that consumer interest is greater than they think.
After the overblown Alar-and-apples scare of 1989, many supermarkets helpfully posted detailed labels about the origins and safety of their produce. But the practice lapsed. That’s unfortunate. Good signage is good business.
