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Do you ever wonder how much you can trust the labels on organic food? In today’s episode of the NTI PodTalk, we hear from Organic Industry Watchdog, Mark Kastel, the founder and Executive Director of OrganicEye. Listen in as he and Dianne discuss organic label standards, organic certifiers, and protecting the integrity of the organic food system.
About Mark Kastel
Mark Kastel has spent most of his professional life advocating for family farmers and working to ensure the integrity of organics. He spent his early career working for agribusiness giants, International Harvester, J.I. Case, and the FMC Corporation, but made a paradigm shift to organic agriculture in the early 1980s after suffering a debilitating illness. His adherence to an exclusively organic diet was instrumental in restoring and maintaining his good health. That shift led him to start farming organically on his own and to establish an industry-related consultancy.
In 2004, he co-founded The Cornucopia Institute and built a reputation as one of the most recognizable and effective organic industry watchdogs.
Mr. Kastel lives on a 160-acre organically managed farm in the rugged hills of southwestern Wisconsin, near the tiny burg of Rockton, where, as executive director of OrganicEye, he continues to advocate for economic justice for family farmers and to preserve the foundational precepts of organic farming.
Check out Kastel’s Kitchen, where Mark shares tips and tricks for decoding organics!
Follow OrganicEye on Facebook
Mark and Dianne discuss protecting the organic food system:
- 01:15 – Mark explains the mission of OrganicEye
- 04:00 – How Mark got involved with organics
- 10:54 – Mark talks about the organic label standards
- 14:41 – The nuances of the chemicals allowed in organic farming
- 20:50 – Who are the organic certifiers?
- 29:05 – The shortcomings of the USDA
- 34:13 – Mark’s tips for how consumers can positively participate in the organic system
- 44:20 – How you can connect with OrganicEye
NTI’s PodTalk is available on all major podcast platforms! Find us by searching “NTI PodTalk” in your favorite podcast platform or following any of the links below.
Hear more from food system advocates!
Organic Agriculture and Advocating for the Organic Marketplace with Kestrel Burcham
Protecting Farmers and their Consumers with Alexia Kulwiec
Become an Advocate for Yourself!
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This discussion is not intended to provide Medical Nutrition Therapy, nor in any way imply that Nutrition Therapists who graduate from NTI are qualified to provide Medical Nutrition Therapy. The scope of practice for graduates of NTI is to deliver therapeutic nutrition guidance to our clients which helps support their natural biology to achieve optimal function in whatever wellness path they are on.
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