Confused by Food Labels? Workshop Aims to Help Shoppers Make Sense of “Organic,” “Cage-Free,” and More

What does “cage-free,” “pasture-raised,” or “organic” really mean when you’re shopping for groceries? Even farmers say the labels can be confusing.“That’s why we’re doing this workshop,” said Iris Gillingham of Gail Roots Farm, who will lead the Understanding Food Labels Workshop this Sunday at Farm Arts Collective. “Last year I was at a farming conference and a bunch of farmers were talking about how confusing it is to navigate these food labels, even for them. So many of them are unregulated.”Gillingham says shoppers are surrounded by what’s known as greenwashing. “When you’re in the grocery store and you see something that says USDA Organic next to a box that says ‘all natural’ or ‘non-GMO,’ you’re really confused,” she said. “Some of the words and terminology have no backbone to them.”Beyond the labels, farming practices affect soil health, climate change, and small farmers’ livelihoods. “The biggest thing to do around food is to try and get to know your farmer and know their practices,” Gillingham said. “There are a lot of farmers that aren’t certified because it’s a big cost, but they still follow those practices.”Sunday’s workshop will break down common terms, explain certification processes, and even touch on gardening and fertilizer labels. Lunch from Willow Wisp Organic Farm is included.The Understanding Food Labels Workshop happens Sunday, Sept. 28, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Farm Arts Collective in Damascus. It’s pay-what-you-can at the door—no reservations required.“We want people to be educated consumers,” Gillingham said. “Food is so expensive right now. We want people to know what they’re putting their dollar behind.”More info at farmartscollective.org.