Factory Farming and Unacceptable Risks to the Public

Below is a link I came across today that deals with a thorough investigation of factory farming. The report was a 2 and a half year study of modern industrial food systems. They have addressed numerous health, environmental and sociological effects. The report also discusses the abuse of animals and the absolute neglect these animals face in the modern factory system. I highly recommend reading this brief abstract for the study.

http://www.pewtrusts.org/news_room_detail.aspx?id=38438

The harmful health effects can easily be avoided by eating pastured meats, grass fed products and locally grown, sustainable foods. These are all widely available at the Co-op. Consuming health conscious foods would in turn push more support to a healthier society and a better environmental system. A better environment provides healthier air, soil and water that are crucial for the proper growth of nutrient dense food sources.

Grassfed Lamb

Numerous research has been done on products that are raised on pasture/grass in comparison with animals raised in a feedlot/factory farm system. The nutritional advantages are quite clear in the case of grass fed lamb. Scientists that were working together with the USDA found that lamb raised on pasture and grass contained about 14% less fat and 8% more protein when compared with grain fed lamb. These results are quite intriguing when considering caloric intake and fossil fuel consumption. The same portion of meat would have significantly less calories from grass fed lamb when compared with grain fed lamb and those calories would surely add up over the course of one year, let alone a lifetime. It also takes a significant amount of energy to raise a lamb in a grain fed factory farming system. On the other hand, a pastured lamb exists solely off the energy of the sun and works in a much more balanced food system. Choosing grass fed lamb is a win-win situation in regards to the environment, as well as the nutritional consumption.

At Heartland, numerous grass fed lamb products are offered by a local farmer which makes for a very diversified lamb palate that truly never grows old of the distinct lamb taste.

You Are What Your Animals Eat...Consider Grassfed

There is the old saying, "You are what you eat." This holds true in the vast majority of cases. Since the inception of factory farming, things have changed a bit. Factory farms generally fed their cattle, pigs and other grazers a mix of corn and grain. These two types of feed are not part of the native diets of most grazing animals, especially cattle and lamb. Now the feedlot farms have taken a new turn and it seems that the old saying can be turned into a new modified version, courtesy of the factory farm. "You are what the animal you eat...eats."

Factory farms are concerned about making money. The most expensive part of raising these animals is the feed that goes into fattening the sedentary beasts. Factory farmers have taken a new turn and instead of feeding them the lesser grains or corn (in comparison to grass), they have decided to cut input costs even more and feed their animals things such as banana chips, yogurt-covered raisin, cookies, licorice, cheese curls, frosted wheat cereal, Tater Tots, Kit Kat bars, uncooked French fries, pretzels and chocolate bars. Some of these "farmers" have even admitted to feeding their animals an entire by-product based diet.

As it happens, the consumer is the only person losing out. The cost of meat products is actually rising but the animal products are no longer a nutrient based option. Grass is the native diet to these animals and it provides them with a healthy base for proteins, antioxidants and omega - 3 fatty acids. Consequently, no one has even measured the nutritional value of the junk fed animals but I can assure that their quality would not compare to the grass fed animal.

Below is the link to an article that discusses the candy fed animals.

http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB117971270570109153-zOC0IHWiWPWox_jaHb4rBiWVpIo_20070528.html?mod=blogs

Food in Kamloops, British Columbia

Hello and welcome to the first official blog from Heartland Quality Foods! Heartland Quality Foods is a locally run cooperative based in Kamloops, British Columbia. Throughout the year, HQF promotes healthy relationships with locally grown foods and sustainable food production systems. Currently, there is a growing movement throughout the world to inform consumers of their food choices and to better educate consumers on where their food comes from and how their food is grown. HQF is a local cooperative that is continuing this education process while supporting local farmers.

This blog will be about cultivating a healthy relationship with quality food, the local community and a sustainable planet. From time to time, posts will be based on balanced nutrition, local food products, local events and food production. There will also be articles to supplement certain posts and at times, research articles that deal with nutrition, among other related topics. Eat healthy and prosper!