Comments on: Avoiding Factory Farm Foods: An Eater’s Guide

By: The Schoolhouse Farmers

The Schoolhouse Farmers — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 14:03:13 +0000

We live in the Northeast in the Finger Lakes region near Skaneateles New York at a small old farmstead we have named Schoolhouse Farms because of the Historic One Room Schoolhouse on the property.
We have run a pesticide free farmstand for 11 years and practice sustainable farming at our micro=farm as a matter of economics and practicality. We have been solicited for years to start a CSA and this year we may be able to actually do it. Our biggest obstacle is that to grow and plant more it takes more labor and more equipment (bigger Carbon Footprint)The small Farmer is ignored by the Federal government and Big Farms snub them as not being real farms. How can we gain a foot hold if we are not even recognized by the USDA? (From a dollar and cents standpoint)

Small Farms have been and will once more the life blood of rural America! They just need more public recognition and support. Keep on pushing the Fresh!

By: Mel

Mel — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 02:32:34 +0000

I wonder about dairy cows that are raised organically. What happens to their calves? Are the cows continuously artifically impregnated like factory-farmed dairy cows? I find the whole idea of separating a mother from her baby so we can steal the milk really…distasteful. I just can’t bring myself to consume dairy products -organic or not – for this reason. The recent footage of male calves being tormented at that Vermont slaughterhouse just made me feel stronger about this. But still I’m curious – what happens to the male calves of organically raised, grass-fed dairy cows? What happens to the dairy cows themselves when they’re all “used up”?

By: tricia baehr

tricia baehr — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 02:05:35 +0000

finding local farmers who raise livestock and poultry humanely are easy to find http://www.eatwild.com is a great resource. Know your farmer…know your food!

By: Goldie

Goldie — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 20:45:23 +0000

I’m in my 80th year and still cooking my own meals based on my mother and grandmother’s ways of cooking. I do not have a microwave, although I wish I had a dishwasher. I look for frugal purchases and pick the best foods, fresh whenever possible, not “manufactured”. This requires knowing basic ways of cooking. Learn to “manufacture” the dishes you like to eat. Look for old fashioned cook books for basics and ask old people if you don’t have grandparents of your own. Find out how we ate before there were take-outs and frozen foods to pop in the microwave. You’ll be healthier for it!

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 09:48:53 +0000

A disturbing and wonderful article about our food sources. I am curious about eggs that say on the label “Cage Free and Certifed Humane.” Can this be trusted as a good source for eggs (and anything else) as proof of a healthy living environment for the animal? Thank you!

By: Valerie Regnerus

Valerie Regnerus — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:17:38 +0000

I found your article informative and thought provoking. I am wondering what your opinion is on goat milk versus cows milk. My family and I switched to goat milk about a year ago for the nutritional and health benefits. We also have the benefit of good local source of goat milk nearby. It found it interesting that you did not mention goat dairy as a viable alternative.