USA Today ran an article in January 2003 highlighting a shortcoming of the USDA's recent National Organic Program.
This program is supposed to set up guidelines for food that is carries the "organic" label in stores.
The article cited an egg farm in Massachusetts that was granted permission to label its eggs as coming from chickens that lived in organic conditions.
Unfortunately, when the situation was investigated, it turned out that these chickens were not raised outdoors, or even with free access to fresh air, as one might suspect if their eggs are being called organic.
The farm had plans to build two 30-foot-square balconies that would provide access to fresh air and sunlight for its 6,000 laying hens.
And they only had the plans for construction: the balconies were not even built.
Think globally, act locally. Know where your food comes from. Patronize your local farmers's market.
