Glossary of Natural (and unnatural) Terms
authored by the Willy Street Co-op|
Aquaculture Back to top The cultivation of the natural produce of water, such as fish, shellfish and aquatic plants. Biodynamic Agriculture Back to top Based on the anthroposophical teachings of Rudolph Steiner, biodynamic agriculture is comprised of an ecological and sustainable farming system. Biodynamics employs the philosophy that the farm should be seen and treated as a whole organism and should be a closed self-nourishing system. Farm health is addressed through the use of soil and plant amendments and recognizes astrologic factors over the use of synthetic inputs to maximize soil fertility. Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) Back to top Also known as "Mad Cow Disease." According to the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service,
Information about BSE increases every day. For up-to-date information, check the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service's BSE page or the Organic Consumers Association's BSE page. Click here to read Willy Street Co-op's BSE statement. Buffer Zone Back to top Buffer zones are required between certified organic crops and areas that might contaminate them, such as conventional cropland or highways. The size of the buffer zone depends on the body that is certifying organization and type of crop. Cage Free Back to top A bird raised in a chicken house that may or may not offer access to the outdoors. Certified Organic Back to top Organic food must be certified by a government-approved agency. CO2 Process Back to top A way to decaffeinate coffee beans. The beans are bathed in liquefied carbon dioxide, dissolving the caffeine into the CO2, which is separated from the beans. Commingling Back to top In regard to organics, commingling is any contact between conventional and organic products. By definition, once this happens, the organic products can no longer be sold as certified organic. Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Back to top A practice where people purchase a share of a farm's harvest, helping to cover its yearly operating budget. In exchange, the farm provides a supply of fresh produce throughout its growing season. CSAs reinforce connections between local farmers and local consumers as well as develop the local economy. Compost Back to top A mixture that consists largely of decayed organic matter and is used for fertilizing and conditioning land. Drift Back to top The movement of particles or droplets through the air from the area where it is being applied to locations outside the targeted area. Through drift or runoff, pesticides can affect more than just the crops it is intended for. Organic crops must use buffer zones to help guard against drift. Factory Farm Back to top A large, industrial operation housing animals in confined areas and treated them with hormones to maximize growth and yield, and with antibiotics to prevent disease. Animal rights advocates have decried the conditions the animals live under, and environmental groups have sued some operations for the huge amount of waste they generate. Fair Trade Back to top The practice of more equitable, less exploitative dealings with producers in developing countries. General fair trade principles include minimum prices; credit availability; sustainable agricultural methods; and relationships directly with farmers rather than middlemen. The goal is to move workers into a position of stability, security and self-sufficiency. Free Range Back to top This term usually refers to poultry that is not confined - i.e, able to go outdoors. It does not necessarily mean that the animal was raised without antibiotics or under cruelty-free circumstances. The use of the term "free range" is only defined by the USDA for poultry production, and need only mean that the bird has had some access to the outdoors each day - USDA considers five minutes of open-air access each day to be adequate. There are also no stipulations for the cleanliness of the area. The use of this term for beef or eggs is unregulated. Free to Roam Back to top Sometimes used to mean "free range." but use of this term is unregulated - it does not have any legally-recognized meaning. Fruitarian Back to top A person who eats only fruit (including vegetable-like fruits: tomatoes, cucumbers, etc.). Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) Back to top A plant or animal whose genome has been modified by humans in some way. Scientists do so to take desireable qualities in one organism (such as better resistance to disease or increased yield) and apply them to another. Opponents of this practice, some of who term GMO-derived foods as "Frankenfoods," complain that tampering with genetic structure could produce new toxins and allergens, create herbicide-resistant weeds, spread disease across species and eventually wipe out non-GMOs. Grass-Fed Back to top Products from ruminents (cattle, goats, sheep, etc.) that have eaten nothing but their mother's milk and grass. Since pigs and poultry cannot rely on grass for their entire diet, "grass-fed" should not technically be used to describe any of their products. This term is not currently regulated by the USDA. Grass-Finished Back to top Products from ruminents (usually cattle) that have eaten grass for the last 3 to 6 months of their lives. Heirloom Back to top Also called "Heritage." Produce grown from an open pollinated seed variety usually at least 50-years-old; also livestock that is physically closer to its natural state, not having been bred or altered to fit commercial standards. The flavor of the heirloom food is thought to be superior because it is not cross-bred to create a product that will withstand cross-country shipping, or have a perfectly blemish-free skin. Heritage Back to top See "Heirloom." Homeopathic Back to top A medical practice that treats a disease by administering very small doses of a remedy designed to stimulate the immune system. Hydrogenated Oil Back to top Hydrogenation is the process of adding hydrogen to oil. Partial hydrogenation makes the oil denser; full hydrogenation creates a solid fat. Partially hydrogenated oil is often used as a substitute for butter because is it less expensive and has a longer shelf life, but still has butter's creamy texture and flavor-enhancing properties. Hydrogenated oils contain high levels of trans fats. Integrated Pest Management Back to top An ecologically based strategy for pest (both weed and animal) control that utilizes natural enemies, weather, and crop management, among other factors. Lacto-Ovo Vegetarian Back to top A person living on a diet made up of vegetables, fruits, grains, nuts, eggs and dairy products. Macrobiotic Back to top Relating to a diet based on the Chinese cosmological principles of yin and yang that in its most rigorous forms consists primarily of whole grains and requires caution to avoid malnutrition, scurvy, or anemia. Mad Cow Disease Back to top See "Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy." Monoculture Back to top The growing of single varieties of corn, wheat, rice or other crops. Natural Back to top Meat and poultry calling themselves “natural” must not contain any artificial flavoring, colors, chemical preservatives, or artificial or synthetic ingredients, and cannot be more than “minimally processed” (which is defined by USDA as a process that does not fundamentally alter the raw product). There is no legal definition for "natural" in regard to products other than those made from beef and poultry. Natural foods are not necessarily organic. Organic Back to top According to the National Organic Program: Permaculture Back to top Coined in the 1970s by Australian Bill Mollison: "a beneficial assembly of plants and animals in relation to human settlements, mostly aimed towards household and community self reliance, and perhaps as a 'commercial endeavor' only arising from a surplus from the system." PHO (Partially Hydrogenated Oils) Back to top Partial hydrogenation hardens oils but does not make them fully solid. rBGH Back to top Recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone, a bioengineered hormone designed to be injected into cows to force them to produce more milk than they normally would. Some studies have shown that drinking milk from cows given rBGH increases a person's chances of contracting some diseases, although the FDA has approved the hormone. Recyclable Back to top According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), recyclable is defined as "products can be collected, separated or recovered from the solid waste stream and used again, or reused in the manufacture or assembly of another package or product through an established recycling program." Recycled Back to top According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the term "recycled" can be used for products or packaging that contain either pre-consumer or post-consumer recycled materials. The percentage of recycled material should be listed (unless the entire product is recycled). The type of recycled material and the amount of the material that is post-consumer content need not be listed. Unless a certification program is cited, the company's claim is not independently verified. Shade-Grown Back to top Shade-grown or shade-tree-grown coffee refers to coffee beans grown beneath a canopy of shade-trees. Traditionally all coffee was grown this way, and the variety of trees and the animals inhabiting them helped to control pests. When leaf rust started afflicting coffee trees, many growers began cultivating other coffee bean tree varieties that didn't need shade. Some growers believe that the agricultural practices that support the "sun-tolerant" trees harm the environment. It is important to note, however, that not all growing locations have enough consistent sunlight to warrant shade-trees. Slow Food Movement Back to top A movement dedicated to the sensory apprecation of food and preserving regional and artisanally-crafted foods and beverages. It is also opposed to fast food. For more information, see their website. Sustainable Agriculture Back to top Per the Congressional 1990 "Farm Bill"
[Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 (FACTA),
Public Law 101-624, Title XVI, Subtitle A, Section 1603], "the
term sustainable agriculture means an integrated system of plant
and animal production practices having a site-specific application
that will, over the long term: Swiss Water Process (SWP) Back to top A process to decaffeinate coffee beans. Beans are soaked in hot water, drawing out the flavor (i.e. the sugars and peptides). The water is kept and the beans discarded. The water is then run through a carbon filter to remove caffeine molecules. New coffee beans are then added to this flavored water. But because this water is already saturated with the sugars and peptides, only the caffeine is drawn out. The process is certified organic and 100% chemical free. Trans Fat Back to top Also known as trans fatty acids. A small amount of trans fat natually occurs in milk, meat and other animal-based products. It is found in much higher amounts, however, in hydrogenated oils that are used to make some vegetable shortening, margarines, cookies, crackers, and other snack foods. Trans fats tend to raise overall blood cholesterol levels and in some studies have been linked to heart disease and cancer. Transition Period Back to top The interval between when a farmer last uses substances banned by organic standards and when he or she can start growing an organic crop - usually at least three years. Unscented Back to top Used to describe some body care or cleaning products. This term is descriptive only - it has no legal meaning. Vegan Back to top A strict vegetarian who consumes no animal food or dairy products. Veganism usually also excludes honey and the wearing and use of animal products (leather, silk, wool, lanolin, gelatin...). A "dietary vegan" is one who follows a vegan diet, but may use non-food animal products. Vegetarian Back to top The theory or practice of living on a diet made up of vegetables, fruits, grains and nuts. Strict vegetarians eat no meat, fish, eggs or milk. See Lacto-Ovo Vegetarian Wildcrafted Back to top Grown in the wild without pesticides and harvested by hand. |
