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1. Objectives References Introduction This project was designed to determine what the community in the Niskayuna area as well as throughout the United States thought about organic food products. An in-person survey throughout the grocery store was provided to the regular customers and an online survey was provided to the students located in different areas to determine the thoughts, beliefs and opinions of these participants. The survey consisted of six questions that were the same for each group of participants. The participants were divided into two groups based on their location. Group 1: Middle aged men and women between the ages of twenty and fifty who frequently shop at Shop Rite grocery store in Niskayuna, New York. Group 2: Students located all throughout the United States between the ages of twenty two an d thirty. The survey consisted of six questions, which were the same for both groups of participants. The questions included on the survey were as follows: 1.) What does the term “Organic” mean to you? 2.) Do you purchase organic food products? 3.) If yes, why do you purchase organic food products? 4.) What type of organic food products do you purchase? 5.) Do you know the differences between organic and in-organic food products? 6.) Do you think there are any health benefits to consuming organic food products? The method to the results was to inquire the customers in the grocery store these six survey questions and provide education on these different methods of farming as needed. The registered dietitian at the grocery store was available to answer any questions that came up about organic versus inorganic products. The educational session was provided to those participants that needed additional information on the differences in these types of farming. Included in this educational session was the definition of organic, the differences in organic farming and conventional farming, and why people may consider organic products healthier. The results section was based off of questions two through 6. These questions required more of a yes or no answer. Methodology The results were varied between the two different groups. The results were broken up and analyzed by group to determine the statistics of how many participants believe there are health benefits compared to those who do not. The figure below shows the differences in the results of each group. Results Discussion/Conclusion Studies have shown that there are no significant health benefits to consuming organic food products in terms of nutrient content. Comparing organic versus inorganic produce, they are comparable in nutrient content. Organic food products eliminate the use of pesticides and herbicides on the products, which can be thought to be beneficial to health. Avoiding the use of chemicals and pesticides will make the products safer to consume seeing as these chemicals can be harmful to the human. However, this does not determine that there is a greater amount of nutrients in the organic product. Studies have not determined there to be health benefits comparing these two products in terms of nutrients. In terms of safer, organic food products may be safer to consume seeing as they are produced and grown without chemicals and pesticides, which can be safer to consume. Based on the data gathered from the mini study conducted, it is clear that there are still many mixed reviews about the term organic and whether or not organic foods provide health benefits. People will continue to purchase and consume organic foods in belief that there are health benefits. Contact Information For further information, please contact: Jennifer Risler ARAMARK Dietetic Intern jrisler1011@gmail.com ARAMARK Dietetic Intern Class of 2012-2013 Jennifer Risler Organic Versus Inorganic: Do consumers know the difference between these products and do they think there are significant health benefits? Organic versus inorganic: Are there health benefits to consuming organic food products? Jennifer Risler, BS, Dietetics Dietetic Intern ARAMARK Distance Learning Dietetic Internship Allison Charny, MS, RD, CDE, CDN Regional Director ARAMARK Distance Learning Dietetic Internship Title 1.) Pimentel, D., Hepperly, P., Hanson, J., Douds, D. Environmental, Energetic, and Economic Comparisons of Organic and Conventional Farming Systems. JSTOR. Accessed: November 26, 2012. 2.)Dangour, A., Lock, K., Hayter, A. Nutrition-Related Health effects of Organic foods: a systematic review. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2010. American Society of Nutrition. Accessed: November 25, 2012. 3.) Harms, R., Berge, K., Hagen, P. Organic Foods: Are they safer? More nutritious? Nutrition and Healthy Eating. MayoClinic. Accessed: November 25, 2012. 4.) Forman, J., Silverstein, J. Organic Foods: Health and Environmental Advantages and Disadvantages. American Academy of Pediatrics. Accessed: November 24, 2012 5.) Ojha, R., Amanatids, S., Petocz, P. Dietitians and Naturopaths require evidence-based nutrition information on organic foods. Journal of Nutrition and Dietetics. Accessed: November 25, 2012. 6.) No Authors. Organic Food: Fact vs. Perception. American Heart Association. http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/WeightManagement/LosingWeight/Organic-Food-Fact-vs-Perception_UCM_425671_Article.jsp • This project was designed to determine what the community population thought about organic foods and their knowledge on the differences between these two types of farming. The objectives of this project are to determine the differences in the thoughts and opinions of the participants surveyed. • To determine how many of these customers know what organic versus inorganic products are. • To determine what percentage of these customers believe there are health benefits to organic food products • To determine what percentage of these participants purchase and consume organic food products. • To educate those participants whom were unfamiliar in the differences between these types of farming methods and why people consider there to be health benefits. • Major controversy today on organic versus inorganic methods of farming. • Different organic methods of farming have been utilized over thousands of years to conserve soil, water, energy and environment.1. • Organic farming avoids the use of pesticides, chemicals, hormones, irradiation and genetic engineering.3 • Conventional farmers use chemical fertilizers to promote plant growth, insecticides and herbicides to reduce pests and to manage growth of weeds and animal antibiotics to prevent disease. 3 • Along with customers and the community population, there are many professionals that believe there are health benefits to organically grown products. • Many professionals believe there are differences in vitamin and mineral content comparing organically grown foods and conventionally grown foods, while others state no difference. 5 • Organic foods are generally labeled in three ways: 100% percent organic, organic and partially organic. 100% organic foods are completely organic or are made with all organic ingredients, with the exception of water and salt. 3 • Organically grown foods have significant benefits for the environments, which may be why they are in greater demand. The chart thoroughly shows the variances in responses from both the customers and the students. A total of 35% of the participants purchase organic food products, with a wide variety of different types being purchased. Comparing the customers to the students, this figure represents that there are some participants that believe there are health benefits, some believe that there aren’t any health benefits and some that are still undecided. Less than fifty percent of the participants felt that there are health benefits to organic food products. Comparing the customers and the students, 57% of the customers did not originally know what the difference between organic and inorganic products were. While 0% of the students stated that they didn’t know the difference. This may solely be due to the fact that more students are educated on these areas of nutrition since it is becoming a more popular trend. For the customers that were unfamiliar about the differences in these two methods of farming an educational session was conducted during the survey on the differences, why they may be considered healthier and more expensive. This figure of results demonstrations the uncertainty amongst many different individuals. Those who strongly believe organic products are healthier, will continue to feel that way, while those who don’t may or may not be affected by others or what they see and hear.