HEALTH
ORGANIC FOODS:
1
THE MEANING BEHIND THE LABEL
MEGAN RUPP
Stephanie Bell knew things would be different after studying in Costa Rica last fall, but she didn't know it would be the contents in her grocery cart that changed. After four months of observing the harsh environmental impact of banana plantations, she returned home with a new commitment to an all-organic diet.
"It's one thing to read about something in a textbook and another to see it with your own eyes," says Bell, Leawood senior. "We're so lucky that none of us have to work in packing plants or farm these bananas that are so cheap at Dillons." Bell now buys all of her produce, dairy and meat from local, organic growers.
Environmental awareness and an assumed "healthiness" are the main reasons why consumers buy organic food. Organic food sales have risen from $3.6 billion in 1997 to $21.1 billion in 2008. Bell joins 30 percent of Americans who buy organic food at least occasionally according to a 2007 Harris poll.
From a green standpoint, Bell is more concerned with the environmental factors of organic food than any health benefits. "I think our bodies are pretty resilient, but I don't think the environment is," Bell says.
Barbara Haumann of the Organic Trade Association says pesticides used in traditional farming methods can create "dead zones" in the soil where food can no longer be produced.
For those who eat organic because they think it is healthy, Haumann says evidence has shown that organic produce is richer in Vitamin C, iron, magnesium and phosphorous. The environmental benefits have long been understood, but research supporting the added nutritional value is emerging more frequently. The most recent study found that strawberries produced on organic farms were of higher quality.
John Reganold, professor of soil sciences
at Washington State University, says his team conducted the study to examine the primary reasons consumers buy organic: they think it's healthier, tastes better and is better for the environment. He says the presence of pesticide residues has been proven time and again, so the study focused on nutrition.
Reganoid and his team found that organic strawberries had lower concentrations of phosphorous and potassium, but higher antioxidant activity and ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) concentration, which promotes immune system health. "You're getting more antioxidants, more Vitamin C and the berries are being produced on healthier soil," Reganold says.
Though buying organic may be beneficial to your health, it can hurt your pocketbook. Amber Wheeler, Mason, Mo., senior, buys organic meat, milk, fruit and vegetables, but can't afford going beyond those "basics." "With specialty things like organic flour, there's like a $3 price difference," she says.
Wheeler became interested in eating organic after listening to her grandmother, who said "if it's unnatural, it can't be good for you."
Despite the growing popularity, equating "organic" with "expensive" remains a common assumption. For Wheeler, it's a price she's willing to pay. "I just feel better," Wheeler says. "I feel sluggish when I eat processed or prepared foods."
Leeann Brown, press associate for the Environmental Working Group, says she understands students don't always have the luxury of buying the more expensive option, but thinks it's important for to be aware of pesticide residues on food and have the option of avoiding the chemicals if they choose.
"That extra 25 cents you're spending is probably giving you about 10 times the bang for your buck," Brown says. "There are stric
standards that organic produce has to meet. So when a student's buying something organic, they know exactly what they're getting and that's a higher quality." Jp
Photo by Jerry Wang
Eat your greens: An all-organic diet isn't realistic for most college students, but choosing a few items to splurge on has healthy longterm results. Organic fruits and veggies are full of antioxidants and Vitamin C.
--hea of Naismiths rules hanging on the wall at aMmy. Barber House, 842
1/2 Massachusetts St.
House does your hay, heen there
The Environmental Working Group compiled two lists, "The Dirty Dozen" and "The Clean 15," to help consumers decrease their pesticide intake by as much as 80 percent. The organization looked at which fruits and vegetables are exposed to the highest or lowest levels of pesticides and designed the lists to help consumers know when buying organic produce is unnecessary.
THE DIRTY DOZEN:
Celery
Peaches
Strawberries
Apples
Cherries
Nectarines
Sweetbell Peppers
Spinach, Kale & Collard Greens
Domestic Blueberries
Potatoes
Imported Grapes
Lettuce
THE CLEAN 15:
Mango
Sweet Peas
Asparagus
Kiwi
Cabbage
Eggplant
Cantaloupe
Sweet Potatoes
Watermelon
Grapefruit
Sweet Onions
Onions
Avocados
Sweetcorn
Pineapples
15 10 11
ESEARCH LIBRARY
SPENCER RESEARCH LIBRARY
He said the copy has been there
Edited by Alex Tretbar
SUSTAINABILITY
out
KU EcoHawks convert donated car to electric
Kansas Libraries will use the car to deliver on-campus mail
The full conversion is estimated to cost $55,000.
BY KELLY STRODA kstroda@kansan.com
Josh Petty always liked tinkering with machines when he was
Student Senate passed a bill which gave the EcoHawks $2,500 to use for the conversion project.
right now — no tires, a battered back fender and a missing front end. The EcoHawks removed the Jimmy's engine last week.
younger. Hed work on his mom's broken awn mower until it was finally running smoothly.
Other funding for the project is coming from the EcoHawks' budget and sponsors.
Wires and tubes are exposed that some people will never see in their entire lives. Blue painting tape marks the wires and tubes
— the gas pedal line here, air bag wires there.
Now he has a bigger project. Petty, a senior from Olathe, is team leader of the KU
Instead of a gas engine, the Jimmy will be powered by a main electric motor and two auxiliary motors, Petty said. The motors
"It's that hands-on learning that makes them the best engineers."
The 1997 GMC Jimmy, a small sport utility vehicle, sits cropped up on car jacks in the KU EcoHawks' garage on West Campus. It's a definite change of scene from the police impound or where the Jimmy sat for two years before being donated to the EcoHawks.
EcoHawks' GMC Jimmy project. The group is working to convert the car into a fully-electric vehicle. Petty said the group hopes to save the project completed by the end of spring.
CHRIS DEPCIK EcoHawks advisor
But for now, the conversion is a work in progress.
The car looks a bit dilapidated
will run using more than 1,000 rechargeable batteries. The batteries — similar to those that cordless drills use — are about the size of AA batteries.
Just as each system in the car's engine has to work in unison, Petty said the group members have to work together as well. The 12 students working on the project have a different area of focus.
"I love the fact that we aren't just doing theory," he said. "We're not just sitting in a lab. We're not just on the Internet or reading books."
Jon Kalinowski, a senior from Wichita, is focused on power steering. He said he enjoys the freedom and hands-on learning that the project provides.
The students have to research,
— Edited by Lisa Curran
theorize and then put their work into practice.
There shouldn't be any worry that the Jimmy won't be noticed. Petty said the EcoHawks hope to paint the frame lime green and the body white.
After the car is finished, KU Libraries will use the car to deliver on-campus mail. The campus mail route includes main and West Campus buildings in addition to continuing education buildings on Kasold Drive. On a typical day, the KU Libraries mail vehicle travels about 22 miles.
"It's that hands-on learning that makes them the best engineers," said Chris Depcik, EcoHawks advisor and assistant professor of mechanical engineering.
Petty said the electric vehicle would be able to travel 80 to 90 miles before a recharge.
"It will almost be a billboard for the idea of sustainability," Lars said.
Lars Leon, associate librarian for KU Libraries, said the libraries encourage sustainability. The electric vehicle is another step in that direction.
New biking club proposes local BMX racetrack
LAWRENCE|3A
LARRI-BMX seeks the city's approval of a plan to construct a course to fulfill Lawrence's BMλ interest.
makes sense in historical context
Columnist Luke Brinker explains that the apparent jump in 18- to 24-year-old voters in 2008 actually wasn't all that dramatic. By comparison, Baby Boomers were driven to the polls by factors such as the draft.
INSIDE
Find extra football coverage in The Wave
Check out The Wave for up-to-date stories on Kansas football, including the scoop on new redshirt freshman Erick McGriff and commentary on fan attendance this season.
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Opinion...5A
Sports...10A
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