Behind the Organic-Industrial Complex

            The transformation of how the major players in the food industry, as well as consumers, define and perceive the word organic is explored in Michael Pollan’s, “Behind the Organic-Industrial Complex”.  Firstly, a brief history of organic food through first-hand interviews with one of the industries founding fathers, Gene Kahn.  Pollan explains how the definition of organic has dramatically changed based on corporate interest from companies such as General-Mills.  In addition, Pollan stresses how the meaning of the word organic has changed in the eyes of consumers and corporations exploit consumer’s misconception of organic in order to profit from the growing market niche.  Because of both corporates desire to profit from organic foods as well as consumers demand for organic foods, the organic-industrial complex was born and the current definition of organic is far different from the organic we once knew.

            “Beyond organic” was a very interesting concept that I noted in this article that strongly related to the changing definition and meaning of organic.  Because it is now difficult for small organic farms to compete with larger “organic” farms, farmers are finding innovative ways to maintain their presence in the organic industry by ‘raising the bar on American agriculture yet again.’ While Pollan only touched briefly on this subject, I believe that the “beyond organic” concept is helping to maintain or revitalize the true meaning of organic while still using innovative ideas that help small farms progress.