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Can you trust an advertisement?

Posted at 4:05 PM on January 16, 2008 by Vera Schabicki (3 Comments)

I wonder if I am too cynical. This thought pops into my head when I listen to my children talk. Sometimes they speak of life with such a world weary, cynical tone. I want my children to be knowledgeable, informed, able to think independently…but I wish they had more of a sense of wonder and beauty and hope (I guess we need to watch some more Star Trek episodes.)

Is it worth it to spend about a dollar a carton more for the Organic Valley dairy products? I read in the last year or so that some of the milk labeled organic was not as great as one would think, that the conditions where icky and the term organic was legal but not really in the spirit of the thing, most of the prominent national brands where listed in this story.

I want a dairy product that comes from a cow that has a happy life, living with a farmer that can make a good living caring for her animals. I want my kids to eat food that does not hurt anyone.

Every time I go to my local natural foods grocery I look over all the choices, store brand, Horizon? I think of the college savings that I am a little behind on and then I choose the Organic Valley product. They have a story about the different farm families on the back of the milk carton, can you imagine feeling good from reading a milk carton? Their eggs have thick yellow yolks (but not as nice as my neighbor Mr. Chapman’s eggs.) Their label says cooperative, and family farm. The optimistic me thinks this is great and is willing to pay for it. This is not local but for me the spirit of the thing is right there. I also get milk and eggs from a very interesting local farm, but they do not always have things available or I do not make the time for the extra drive. Then it is those nice families for me.

I wonder though if all that stuff on the labels is true?

Comments (3)

Organic Valley absolutely speaks the truth. It started as a small cooperative called Cropp and has expanded in the southwestern Wisconsin area to a much bigger, yet still very true-to-its-ideals business. I'm originally from the area and it makes me feel good to be able to buy the products of my hometown region when I'm all the way away in the big city of Minneapolis.

Posted by Tipper | February 14, 2008 12:54 PM

Thanks Tipper, I am glad to know that it is worth the extra money to support a good organization and get a really tasty product (we go through lots of their milk eggs and butter, though with this project we are just getting the butter......it is nice to know that cynicism can get a rest once in a while :).

Best wishes,Vera

Posted by Vera Schabicki | February 26, 2008 12:02 AM

Thanks Tipper, I am glad to know that it is worth the extra money to support a good organization and get a really tasty product (we go through lots of their milk eggs and butter, though with this project we are just getting the butter......it is nice to know that cynicism can get a rest once in a while :).

Best wishes,Vera

Posted by Vera Schabicki | February 26, 2008 12:03 AM