Omnivores Dilemma, Pt. II Organic

In part II, Pollan investigates the details of farms producing organic food. As it turns out, the term organic is so vague that it means little.

1. What does the term 'organic' mean to you? If you buy organic lettuce, how do you think it is different from traditional lettuce?


2. In the book, Gene Kahn is quoted as saying, "We might have to give up on the term "organic" as the government owns it now." What are three things you learned about the USDA term 'organic' that you find outrageous.


3. Research does seem to indicated that organic food is likely more nutritous. What are three findings cited in the book supporting the idea that organic food is more nutritous.


4. There are environmental values to organic production. What are three ways organic foods are more environmentally friendly than traditional foods.

5. Joel Salatin says, "Don't you find it odd that people will put more work into choosing their mechanic or house contractor than they will into choosing the person who grows their food?" Do you have any idea who grows your food? Do you feel confident that your food is safe even if you don't know who is growing/producing it? What makes you confident your food is safe?


6. Later, Salatin notes, "No thinking person will tell you they don't care about all that. I tell them the choice is simple: You can buy honestly priced food or you can buy irresponsibly priced food." Explain why Salatin views many items at a local grocery store to be 'irresponsibly' priced items.