Spring 2002
Origins
by Shara B. Smith
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Washington grown organic apples glow under the lights in Terra Organica's produce display case. |
Choosing between Washington apples or those grown abroad will be easier when Washington state Senate Bill 6471 becomes law this June, requiring that all stores in the state mark produce from the United States or Washington as U.S. or Washington grown.
“There are different growing standards in different countries,” said Steven Trinkaus, co-owner of Terra Organica, a Bellingham organic-food store. “Some have stricter standards than the United States; some have less strict standards.”
Placards let consumers choose where their food comes from.
“We get questions about our produce on many different levels from our customers,” Trinkaus said. “Some people want to know if something is from Mexico or not, because they will only buy fruits and vegetables grown on the West Coast or locally. I would like customers to understand why it is important to buy local and regionally grown produce.
“The food choices we make have a huge impact on the environment and the economy.”
Buying local products helps minimize the amount of fuel used transporting the food — and foods retain more of their nutrients.
“There is more nutrient value to eating produce within a day or two after it has been picked,” said Kristine Duncan, a registered dietitian from the St. Joseph Hospital Nutrition and Diabetes Education Clinic in Bellingham. “Once a fruit or vegetable has been picked, there is no longer a source of water or energy for it. Changes in temperature cause it to decompose and water soluble vitamins like B and C are lost.”
Though local produce is available at farmers’ markets and specialty stores like Terra Organica, some supermarkets also carry locally grown fruits and vegetables. During harvest season, Haggen sells lettuce, corn, berries, herbs and other produce from Whatcom County farms.
“If it is local and accessible, we will carry it,” said Steven Sperry, produce manager at the Sehome Village Haggen. “It is better to be supplied by local vendors because it is fresher and of better quality. We can get produce from Joe’s Garden within hours of when it was harvested.”
Proponents hope the bill will inform consumers so they can choose who and what they are supporting in the checkout line.
“I am hoping that the farmers will increase their returns as a benefit of the labeling,” said Washington state Sen. Jim Honeyford, the bill’s co-sponsor. “I hope it creates a demand for Washington grown fruits and vegetables. The consumer also benefits from the labels so they will know where their food is coming from.
“I was thinking of a simple, easy to comply with bill that would identify where the food comes from.”
Trinkaus said he would like to see more labeling laws in the future.
“I think the new bill is great,” he said. “I would like to see labels on produce listing all the chemicals used to grow them.”
The labels will take away the mystery of where fruits and vegetables come from. Whether the produce is organic or conventional, consumers will have an easier time supporting local farmers, improving their diets and reducing their impact on the environment.
Sophomore Shara B. Smith plans to study photojournalism at Western. She has previously been published in the Yakima Herald-Republic, the Wapato Independent and the A.S. Review.