WHY ORGANIC?

Washington: Still a Leader?

Washington State has been far ahead of most others. Since 2000 they have allowed WIC families to choose some organic foods when they use their WIC coupons at grocery stores. The Washington State Dept. of Health (WSDOH), which administers WIC, cites the growing cost difference between non-organic and organic foods as the reason for changing course.

Organic: An Important Choice for Maternal Nutrition

A presentation at the 2008 National Maternal Nutrition Intensive Course (sponsored by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau) underscored the impact of environmental toxins in fetal and infant health, and the value of organic dairy for reducing exposure to potentially damaging health impacts.4

Related Resources

Mothers of Organic
Where Organic Parents
find food for thought.
more

The Organic Manifesto of a Biologist Mom
by Sandra Steingraber
read article

Benefits of Organic Foods
read article

False Promises of GMOs
read article

Organic Consumers Association
OCA is a consumer information and activism site in support of the organic movement.
go to the site

Organics for Women, Infants & Children

***UPDATE February 18, 2009: Citing cost, the Washington State WIC Nutrition Program has announced their decision to disallow organic milk and organic baby food from the program effective October 2009.

WSDoH reports that they received over 1000 comments about the proposed changes, and over 900 of these were related to organic foods. For more about their decision, see their FAQ at http://www.doh.wa.gov/cfh/WIC/newfoods.htm

WSDoH is no longer accepting comments for this WIC reauthorization period. However, we encourage interested citizens to write letters to their Washington papers. This is a national issue, and in the past Washington has been a leader. Stay tuned for updates.

read comments from other Farm Friends

October, 2008:

Citing costs, the Washington State Department of Health (WSDoH) proposed to cut organic milk and organic baby cereal from its WIC food package and include the restrictive qualifier "non-organic" for several foods. This qualifier will restrict WIC recipients from obtaining organic versions of these approved food types for clients the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).

Repeated studies show that children who consume organic foods have lower levels of pesticides in their bodies than those who consume equivalent conventionally produced items.1 Further, studies confirm that organic milk does have nutritional benefits over conventional.2, 3 And, supporting local organic farmers has benefits for both Washington's economy, communities and its environmental health.

Organic Valley believes that all mothers should have the opportunity to make choices about which foods are best for themselves and their children. We also believe that everyone should have access to healthy, organic food regardless of income.

More Info

Organic Choice for WIC talking points
adapted from the Organic Center's Comment Letter by Chuck Benbrook

Reader comments
See what other Washington Farm Friends wrote!

Washington State WIC Nutrition Program Site
for details and FAQs on the changes

www.thefutureisorganic.net/opinion.htm
This site by Chrys Ostrander has more information and posted public comments from the Organic Center and other sources

References

1. Chensheng Lu, et al. Dietary intake and its contribution to longitudinal organophosphorus pesticide exposure in urban/suburban children. Environmental Health Perspectives. 2008;116:537-542.

2. Cynthia L. Curl, et al. Organophosphorus Pesticide Exposure of Urban and Suburban Preschool Children with Organic and Conventional Diets. Environmental Health Perspectives. 2003;111: 377-382.

3. Ellis KA et al. Comparing the fatty acid composition of organic and conventional milk.Journal of Dairy Science. 2006;89:1938-1950.

4. Purnell-O'Neil, Mishawn. “Environmental Contaminants: Implications for Pregnancy and Lactation.” Presented at 2008 National Maternal Nutrition Intensive Course, University of Minnesota, School of Public Health, Sponsored by Maternal and Child Health Bureau, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.