Message #41352

[guest587]

Dr. Mark Hyman mentions karma while discussing fruit,

     One of the trendiest fruits in America is avocado(yes, it's a fruit). But while our relatively newfound love of avocados means more income for Mexico- that's where we get 60 percent of them- it also means trouble. There isn't enough farmland available to meet the skyrocketing global demand, so some farmers are illegally cutting down forests to make room. Between 2001 and 2010, some regions of Mexico lost as many as 1,700 acres of forestland per year as a direct result of the growing demand for avocado production. On top of that, gangs sometimes demand a cut of growers' profits, and those who refuse to pay face violence. Unfortunately, that guacamole you add to your burrito bowl may come with a high karmic price tag.

     The agricultural regions of Colombia, Ecuador, and other countries are often unstable, violent environments. In 2007, Chiquita was fined for paying a notorious terrorist group in Colombia for protection. Dole, in 2009, came under fire for funding militia groups that murdered union leaders and used terror tactics to discourage workers from organizing. To ensure that you're not supporting these practices or the people who perpetrate them, you should look for bananas with "Equal Exchange" stickers, which means that fruit was produced in a safe way that's fair to workers. Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, and other health food stores offer organic fruit from smaller farms closer to home.

     Going local, season, and organic can reduce the environmental impact of fruit. Organic eliminates the many dangers that pesticides pose to your health, the environment, and farmworkers, and eating locally grown produce while it's in season reduces its carbon footprint.

     You can also grow your own fruit, the safest and freshest choice of all. I just planted a mini-orchard of five fruit trees in my backyard. But if that's not an option, you can shop farmer's markets or join a CSA(community-supported agriculture). To find the nearest CSA or farmers' market, or to learn more about fair trade and farmer co-ops, check out the following resources:

*The Local Harvest website, which maintains a nationwide directory of small farms, farmers' markets, and other local food sources: http://www.localharvest.org/csa/
*The National Farmers Market Directory, maintained by the USDA https://www.ams.usda.gov/local-food-directories/farmersmarkets
*The website of Equal Exchange, which promotes fair trade and worker co-operatives that benefit farmers: http://equalexchange.coop/about