Organic

Sometimes it seems that in America “organic produce” just means that the vegetables are unwashed and unrefrigerated. How many times have we seen expensive lettuces sitting on the shelf wilting away—but at least they are organic. The point is, who cares when the lettuce is in that condition?

Like “fresh,” the use of the word “organic” is fraught with the peril of rushing to embrace a good concept without taking into consideration the result it is meant to produce. Organic does not mean only “free of dangerous chemicals and residual pesticides.” Organic procedures play an important role in the creation of a sustainable agriculture and aquaculture, and when this approach is followed along with the use of heirloom varieties and seed banks, it is, in my book, the best path to quality of flavor and health.