Are Organic Foods Really Better For Us? The Answer May Surprise You… (VIDEOS)

If a piece of food is labeled “organic”, how much do you trust that it is good for you?

One Penn filmmaker explores this and his findings may surprise you…

Kip Pastor (C’04, Phi Alpha Theta Honor Society)‘s feature-length documentary In Organic We Trust  (set to come out next fall) will take a first hand look at the organic food industry and examine its shortcomings. It will also explore the paths towards a truly organic self-sustaining agriculture system, including local farmer’s markets ad urban famrs who are inspiring new solutions.

When I asked Kip what everyone may be shocked about learning from his film, Kip tells us,

“People buy organic because they think it’s better for them and for the environment. In some cases that may be true, but the way the organic system is set up right now, big business has bastardized the original intent of organic. It usually doesn’t come from a family farm the way you think of it. Your yogurt that is organic from Vermont might come for powdered organic milk shipped from New Zealand, strawberries from China, or honey from turkey. Then, mixed it in Vermont and shipped to your grocery store. Does that sound sustainable? Organic? Good for the environment? Just because something is NOT certified organic doesn’t mean it’s nutrition density is less or that the farmer soaked it in pesticides. On the contrary, many non-certified farmers take greater care of their crops as well as provide direct sales to consumers guaranteeing freshness and quality. Organic by definition is a production claim that doesn’t deal with nutrition, quality, or overall impact on the environment.

All of that said, my doc will not roast or shred organic. Organic is still good, it just needs a lot of improvements as does our whole ag system.”

By the end of the film, Kip tells me that we will all know how to compost ourselves (even in NYC Apts) without it smelling, grow vegetables in our kitchens, and learn how to contribute to urban community farming and roof top farming.”

Kip is another example of an alum who changed careers. After dabbling in consulting and traveling the world, Kip decided to settle down and follow his goal of creating change and impacting people’s lives.

Per Kip,

“I quickly turned away from politics in favor of disseminating ideas through film. I worked at production company in Washington, DC and took film classes at American University only to feel the gravitational pull of Los Angeles. In June, I graduate with an MFA in producing from the American Film Institute, and I have been implementing my knowledge in a documentary film and developing several other projects.

Urban Gardening Teaser – In Organic We Trust:

Buying Local Teaser – In Organic We Trust:

Find out what the future should look like at Kip’s website: HERE

And if you’re a fan of this sort of film, I encourage you to watch Food, Inc. and King Corn.  All of these films will change how you eat forever!

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• Kip Pastor