What Does Organic Mean Anyway?

JULY MISSION: GOOD NUTRITION EPISODE DEMYSTIFIES ORGANIC FOOD, POINTS OUT HIDDEN INGREDIENTS IN FOOD


June 30, 2007, Pottstown, PA – The July episode of Mission: Good Nutrition, a 29-minute TV program sponsored by Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation promoting healthy living, will begin running Thursday, July 3, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. on PCTV Channel 28 and is scheduled to air at the same time each subsequent Thursday in July.

“This month’s show focuses on what it means when foods are labeled organic,” comments Dave Kraybill, executive director, Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation. “You’ll learn the definition of organic and why it’s better to eat organic foods when possible. We’ll be preparing two great recipes that feature local organic produce. We also highlight hidden ingredients in foods. Viewers will be educated on decoding food labels so they can become aware of the hidden ingredients they may be consuming.”

In the first segment, Susan Fedoris, a mother of children with special dietary needs who counsels other parents on reading labels, informs viewers about hidden ingredients in foods. The box says “all natural” and it looks healthy, but do you really know what’s in any of the packaged foods you’re eating? Many times, even the healthiest-looking foods contain so-called hidden ingredients that you wouldn’t expect, like sugar and salt. Fedoris will review words on labels that may indicate questionable ingredients.

The second segment features Julia Greenblatt, Director of Advertising and Marketing for Kimberton Whole Foods. Greenblatt clarifies the difference between natural and organic foods. She delves into the specifics of organic foods – why you should eat them, why they are more expensive, what constitutes organic and what are the farming standards. She also reviews the “dirty dozen” foods – the twelve healthy foods that are best to eat when organically grown because, in their natural state, they easily absorb pesticides and other chemicals.

Finally, Chef Mike Pezzillo of Café Mosaic in North Coventry shows viewers some wonderful recipes that can be made with local organic foods. Café Mosaic focuses on using fresh, local ingredients in their menu, which changes with the seasons. The two delicious recipes that he demonstrates are Butternut Squash Bisque and Roasted Chicken Tenders with Peppers and Onions. These plus more recipes can be found on www.pottstownfoundation.org. Chef Pezzillo also reviews Pennsylvania’s top 10 produce crops, which include sweet corn, snap beans, pumpkins and tomatoes.

This month’s Fitness Minute focuses on striking a balance between exercise and caloric intake—just because you exercise regularly, does not mean you can eat as much as you want.

About the Program Mission: Good Nutrition - In support of the Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation’s goal to promote healthy living and healthy lifestyles, the Foundation sponsors the Mission: Good Nutrition program, which airs every Thursday at 7:00 p.m. on PCTV Channel 28. Area residents, particularly parents with school-age children, can discover practical, fun, easy and convenient ideas to use immediately and benefit from every day. The “fitness minute” in each episode complements the nutritional focus and reinforces that better eating habits plus improved fitness are keys to enjoying a healthier quality of life. All episodes feature interviews and discussions with health and nutrition experts, plus hands-on cooking demonstrations by local chefs and culinary professionals.
Visit www.pottstownfoundation.org and click on “Mission: Good Nutrition” for an array of interesting information—recipes featured on the program, video clips, and quizzes, as well as how to contact show host Beth Trapani, former communications director and spokeswoman for Pennsylvania Advocates for Nutrition and Activity. Mission: Good Nutrition was developed by The Anderson Group and is being produced by Dayton Communications.
About the Foundation - The Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation’s mission is to enhance the health and wellness of area residents, providing education, funding and programs that motivate people to adopt healthy lifestyles.

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