Caveat Emptor! ("Let the buyer beware")

January 7, 2004

Mad Cow Disease is a serious problem as we have all read about in recent weeks. One of our greatest concerns over the last decade is whether this problem would come to "The States". It had seemed that here at home we would be immune and it only effected other countries.

Unfortunately we have failed to see the bigger picture. In this larger view we should be asking what is it about modern farming and feeding of livestock that predisposes cows and possibly other animal and food sources to disease? It is becoming clearer as time goes on that we need to take a hard critical look at the food we buy as consumers and make available to our families and communities. We cannot and must not trust the government and our agricultural institutions and corporations to provide us with safe food. This has now, more than ever, become our own responsibility. Much of the food we find in our common grocery stores and supermarkets are suspect and we need to become educated about what we buy and consume.

Bringing these issues back to the meat industry, it has become paramount that we consider only eating organic style beef, poultry and animal products. It is simply the only safe alternative. Our community food suppliers are more aware of these issues and organic and free-range products are now more available.

The more we verbalize our preferences to the groceries and supermarkets where we shop, the more they will meet our needs. Stores will reflect what consumers buy and demand. We need not purchase and consume products with hormones, antibiotics, food colorings, preservatives and possible disease.

The less we purchase these unsafe products, the less the stores will buy them from wholesalers. Let's remember, these changes start with us.

Local alternatives are available in co-ops and stores throughout our region. Feel free to call our office to inquire about where to purchase organic, free range and pasture fed meats. We can no longer wait for these problems to resolve on their own. Mad Cow Disease is a symptom of a bigger problem we can resolve. "Let the Buyer Beware".