Staten Island Advance, Jane Milza
Published April 12, 2005
Most were still in their late teens, others had just crossed the threshold into their early 20s. And yet there they were -- brash enough to protest for their cause while taking over university presidents' offices. Sitting on the floor, with hands linked and faces stoic, they remained ready to bar faculty from entering nearby lecture halls.
Some of the causes were justified. But adults still wanted to know: "What do these kids know about the war, about the economy, about saving the world and its resources?
Remember the 1960s and the massive "sit-ins" and "teach-ins" that were staged on college campuses and later in farm communities across the United States?
Those "kids" soon reached their full majority and now are into middle age. While many let their dreams fade, others were savvy enough to hold on to their hopes about saving the world and its environment.
The word "ecology" had barely made it into dictionaries, but many of the youthful leaders who were promoting it 35 years ago, eventually joined the establishment as adults are still shouldering the cause, working to turn the world around and save it for future generations.
Many helped establish the first Earth Day -- a quarter of a century plus 10 years ago. And today they are involved with millions of people around the world who will celebrate the 35th annual Earth Day on April 22.
A NEW PROMOTION
This Earth Day, however, a new campaign has been launched -- a promotion to educate America about the health and environmental benefits of choosing organic products.
"Go Organic! For Earth Day" is the slogan adopted to link the Earth Day Network and the Organic Trade Association.
The program is being promoted in 2,500 plus supermarkets and in schools as well. And more than 50 organic food and product manufacturers have joined the parade of supporters.
"Our aim with Earth Day is to remind people that they can have a great choice in foods if they have the desire to take care of the planet," Holly Givens, representing the Organic Trade Association (OTA). "These (organic) are foods they can enjoy.
"One of the exciting things about the project is that it brings all the parties together -- the producers, the retailers and the consumers. It's really exciting when that happens," said Ms. Givens.
Shoppers on Staten Island can find an abundance of organic products at the various Family Health Foods' outlets as well as at Tastebud's Natural Foods at 1789 Victory Blvd., Dongan Hills. But they still want more. "We need more opportunities, more places to buy organic," said one couple. "There's nothing like it."
"In the past two years, I've seen a growing number of new faces, whole families, coming here," said manager Michael Kirschbaum of the Family Health Foods store at 1789 Victory Blvd., Castleton Corners. "Before it was kind of an underground thing, now they're all looking for organic."
The produce department at the Castleton Corners store is stocked with 100 percent organic fruits and vegetables, according to Kirschbaum. And most products on the shelves -- from the full selection of dairy items and eggs to household cleansers -- fit the same criteria, he said, adding, "Not all the items in the deli department are organic, but we use as many organic ingredients as we have in the lunch menu. Hot soups, fresh salads and an assortment of hot dishes are offered.
Also on Staten Island, the first annual Starbucks Earth Day at Cloves Lakes Park last Saturday served as preview to Earth Day. The public was invited to join in a general cleanup of the lake area, and take time to enjoy some refreshments while doing it.
HAPPENINGS ARE BACK AGAIN
U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin was the founder of Earth Day in 1970 and remained the cause's standard bearer for many years. It was launched as a cause celeb, massive "teach-in" designed to encourage young people to protest what was happening to the environment.
This year, more than 12,000 grassroots "happenings" -- to use another '70s expression -- are scheduled for Earth Day. Each activity will transmit a message of hope that people everywhere must work together to support "environmentally healthy living."
Earth Day organizers continue year round to educate the masses on the need to protect the earth. They draw more farmers and food producers into their corner each year, making them aware of the reduced nutrients now found in farm crops as well as the health issues arising from soil depletion and excessive use of pesticides. Behind the scenes, they're encouraging development of substitutes for those health-damaging chemicals.
It once was rare -- and excessively expensive -- to purchase organically grown food products in neighborhood stores. In 2005, both fresh and packaged organic goods are stocked by retailers everywhere. Although, to be honest, prices too often are still high.
Many more environmentally friendly foods and personal care products -- like household cleansers, soaps and cosmetics -- are available, however. Among the packaged goods, shoppers can fill their carts with organically grown grains as well as organic pastas, oils, vinegars an other flavor enhancers. Yet, there's need for greater expansion, more stores and more shelves stocked with organic products.
"Earth Day Network, along with virtually all the leading organic food companies and many of America's largest food retailers have united with a powerful call to action," said Michael Martin, president of Minneapolis-based MusicMatters, organizer of the project.
"Just as the Great American Smoke-Out calls upon people to give up smoking on one day, we're asking every American to make the leap to enjoying the health and environmental benefits of organic food on April 22.
"If you care enough about the environment to recycle, use energy-efficient appliances, turn off the lights when you leave a room and use a bicycle, then the next step is to buy organic products.
"Organic products are good for your family's health, for the planet's health and are now widely available on the shelves of your favorite supermarket."
GETTING THE MESSAGE
Don't think that average Americans aren't getting the message about the need to protect their health as well as the environment by making their voices heard on the way farm crops should are grown.
Nearly 60 percent of all U.S. consumers are aware of organic foods and beverages and nearly as many are concerned about irradiation, pesticides and other chemicals used to grow food, according to research concluded this February by the National Marketing Institute. Environmental groups and the Environmental Protection Agency encourages them to reduce risks to their families' health by buying organic food and personal care products.
And, many of those former "teach-in" folks are still promoting organic products. A total of 73 percent of college-educated consumers, polls say, are aware of the benefits of organic foods.
Here's another interesting fact: Two-thirds of Americans who use organic food (that's 44 percent of the U.S. population) would like organic food to be an option for students and teachers in school cafeterias.
While most mainstream consumers realize organically grown food is better for the nation's soil and environment, according to Ken Cook, president of the Environmental Working Group, "Of the one billion acres of land in the U.S. dedicated to food production, only about four million acres are organic."
INCREASED DEMAND
"One sure way to increase pesticide- and heribicide-free agricultural practices nationwide is to increase consumer demand for organics," said Cook.
Proponents of organic farming agree there's a need for even more farmers to turn in the direction of growing organic. Yet, many owners of small farms complain that certification cost too much money. They just can't afford it.
"It's true, farmers who sells over $5,000 worth of organic foods have to be certified," said Ms. Given, the OTA representative. "The Organic Trade Association is working to encourage farmers to seek federal funding for certification. They should contact their state's Department of Agriculture -- it's federal funding administered by each state -- to obtain the cost-share funding."
"Demand goes a long way in making the funding available. We keep reminding people who want to buy organic about that. It's what the campaign is all about. If customers are going to buy, retailers will sell. It's a win-win situation for everybody."
