Organic vs. Non-Organic

Jessie, Gurp, Jeana, Ashley, Jackie D. & Jackie J.

Outline• Issues• Facts• Driving Forces• Restraining Forces• Lewin’s Change

Theory– Unfreezing– Moving to Change– Refreezing

• Conclusion

What is the Issue?

• Debate: – Is organic better for your

health?– Is organic better for the

environment? – Is it worth the extra

cost?• These are the current

issues about organic vs. non-organic.

Organic farming relies on the following Organic farming relies on the following principles:principles:

3. Use soil that can be used for many generations without non-organic fertilizers

4. Use soil organisms rather than pesticides

5. Use recycled livestock manure, organic materials, crop residue

6. Crop rotations to control weed growth

7. No tampering with animal genetics

Non-organic ways of farming use the following methods:

3. Pesticides & Herbicides 4. Contaminated sewage sludge5. Hormones, Antibiotics, & remains of

other animals6. Irridiation

Facts

MORE FACTS…

HealthOrganicOrganic fruit and vegetables

contained as much as 40% more antioxidants, which scientists believe can cut the risk of cancer and heart disease.

Levels of antioxidants in milk from organic herds were up to 90% higher than in milk from conventional herds.

Non-OrganicIs likely to be contaminated with

residues that often occur in potentially dangerous combinations

Contain more water than

organic produce, which contains more dry matter (on average, 20% more) for a given total weight

Health cont…OrganicBan the use of artificial food additives

such as hydrogenated fats, phosphoric acid, aspartame and monosodium glutamate, which have been linked to health problems as diverse as heart disease, osteoporosis, migraines and hyperactivity

Organic crops contained significantly more nutrients -vitamin C, iron, magnesium and phosphorus - and significantly less nitrates (a toxic compound) than conventional crops

Non-OrganicThe negative effects of pesticides

on health include neurotoxicity, disruption of the endocrine system, carcinogenicity and immune system suppression.

• Organic farming practices are designed to benefit the environment by reducing pollution and conserving water and soil.

• Limiting the pesticides, herbicides and other chemicals that get into the water and soil is certainly a good thing for protecting the delicate balance of nature.

• If you can combine eating organics and eating locally produced foods, you're also limiting your carbon footprint, because your food didn't have to travel thousands of miles to get to you. Reducing carbon emissions helps protect the ozone layer and slow climate change

• Farmers who inhale the chemicals used on food tend to have more asthma and breathing problems. They can also be putting themselves at higher risk for developing cancer.

Environment

Driving Forces vs.Restraining Forces

Driving Forces• These forces cause the person to move in the

direction of change.• In this case, from eating more organic/local produce

and less of ready-made/processed foods.

OrganicOrganicAdvantages:• Promotes reduction of

pollution & conservation of water & soil

Non-organicNon-organicDisadvantages:• Fruits & vegetables

found to have some pesticide residue

Driving Forces

Restraining Forces• These forces cause the person to go against

driving forces and oppose change.• In this case, to continue with old eating habits.

Restraining ForcesOrganicOrganicDisadvantages:• Higher price• Organic fruits &

vegetables spoils faster

Non-organicNon-organicAdvantages:• Affordable prices• Lasts longer than

organic products

Lewin’s Change Theory

• Unfreezing

• Moving to Change

• Refreezing

Unfreezing

• Letting go of old habits.• Disconfirmation

• Induction of Guilt of Survival Anxiety• Creation of Psychological Safety or

Overcoming of Learned Anxiety

Frozen Behavior- Shopping at local

chain stores- Buying quick and

convenient

Organic food items are approximately 40% more expensive than conventional food

“”

How nurses can promote change…

• Self-awareness• Practice what you preach• Create public awareness

– Campaigns, Websites, Media ads

• Lobbying– Regulations on pesticides, ban

steroid & Abx use• Education on Nutrition

Moving to Change

• Attempting to try new habits.

– Decrease non-organic foods in grocery stores and increase organic foods:

– Importing and exporting regulations among different countries

– Guarantee that food is safe and free from toxic chemicals and sludge

– Buy organic food, and substitute for the food that is not organic

– Consumer participation

– Increase the number of organic farmers

What needs to Change?

• 100% Organic: Carries USDA• Organic: At least 95% organic

excluding water & salt• Made with Organic: At least 70%

organic• All Natural & Naturally Grown:

Healthy choice but not certified organic

• Free Range: Animals that are allowed to roam free appose to being “caged”

How to buy Organic…

(Organic Trade Association, 2007)

Changing Behavior• Get into a routine of

shopping at local dairy/farm markets and butchers for fresh foods

• Buy in bulk and freeze / jar

• In off-seasons, buy organic preserved foods (shop around for the best deals)

• Shops for sales and buy house brandshttp://www.kqed.org/weblog/food/TemescalMarketBig.jpg

Consumers

Changing BehaviorSuppliers

• Manual Weeding

• Rotational Growing Schemes

• Manage Surrounding Land & Crop Space

• Utilize Natural Resources

Changing Behavior

Set realistic goals and buy organic when

possible

Refreezing

• Making the change a new habit.• Focus on why the change was made in the

first place.• Therefore, prevent individual’s from going

back to old habits.

Conclusion

• Beneficial to health • Change takes time• Driving forces need to outweigh restraining

forces People need/want to change• Buy organic or shop locally • Nurses are change agents

The End

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• Schein, E.H. (1995). Kurt Lewin’s change theory in the field and in the classroom: notes toward a model of managed learning. Retrieved November 1,2007, from http://dspace.mit.edu/bitstream/1721.1/2576/1/swp-3821-32871445.pdf

• The World’s Healthiest Foods. (2007). Everything I need to know about organic foods.Retrieved November 16, 2007, from http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php? tname=faq&dbid=17#Planet1

• Time Online (2007). Official: Organic really is better. Retrieved November 16, 2006, from http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/health/article2753446.ece

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Resources cont…Resources cont…