Antibiotic-Free Labeling
In the mid-1970s, the medical community began looking at ways to limit antibiotic use in response to concerns about rising antibiotic-resistant infections in the clinical setting. The medical community knew that improper use of antibiotics would result in those bacteria not killed by the drug becoming resistant, and that resistance would be replicated and spread throughout the bacterial world. Sir Alexander Fleming, the scientist who first discovered naturally occurring penicillin and its infection fighting capabilities, warned of potential misuse —and…
Is Local Always Best?
An astonishing amount of advice is given to shoppers about what food they should eat and where they should buy it. While much of the guidance is sound and reasonable, some of it is wildly inaccurate—or just downright unrealistic. Unrealistic expectations A phrase you’ll often hear is: “Before you buy any food you should always visit the farm.” Buying direct from the farm or at a farmers’ market is something A Greener World wholeheartedly encourages. Not only does the food…
Behind The Label
Organic. Cage-Free. Grassfed. Natural. What do these terms and claims really mean, and how do you know which ones are trustworthy? Unless a claim is verified by an independent third party, the integrity of a food label is only as reliable as the individual or company making it. As a shopper, understanding what label claims on meat, dairy and eggs actually mean—and don’t mean—will help ensure that you are making food choices that align with your values. Cage-Free has no…
What is animal welfare and why should you care?
All the different terms in the world of food and farming can be confusing, and we’re here to empower you with the information to make food choices that match your values. At A Greener World, we understand the way we raise our animals, the nutritional quality of the food they produce, and the impact of the farming system on the environment are all intrinsically linked. We help ensure animal welfare by certifying farms using high-welfare practices. Developed in collaboration with scientists, veterinarians, researchers,…
The Beating Heart Of Sustainable Farming
By Jennifer Dungait, Ph.D. This article was originally published in AGW’s Sustainable Farming magazine and can be downloaded as a PDF here. The idea of soil health is a relatively new scientific concept in modern farming. It differs from the concept of soil quality, because it recognizes the key role of managing soil biology, as well as soil chemistry (such as pH and nutrients) and soil physics (the impact of tillage), to achieve more sustainable farming systems. I am a…
