Organic Food

1) What is organic food? Provide definitions by FDA and other organizations.
2) Discuss the history of the food industry with respect to organic food classification.
3) Why are these foods usually more expensive?
4) Health benefits; are these foods higher in vitamin, mineral content? Be specific – reference
legitimate scientific sources.
5) Cost of production. Consider total cost, pesticide and herbicide usage for most foods.
6) Buying locally produced food vs. food from distant lands. Discuss the cost of production and the
cost of shipping. Also, discuss the risks involved with food from other countries. How is the food
inspected in these countries?
7) Discuss the benefits of growing your own food. Do you already do this? Are you planning to start to
grow your own food? Will you go organic?
8) Does SJSU have an organic garden project currently operating on campus? Report on this and give an
update.