2008 Woodie Awards
Organic diets offer a healthier alternative
Kristen Golden
Issue date: 11/17/05 Section: Opinion
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Recently, I received a care package from home. Not your average package with cookies and brownies, but instead an organic, free trade chocolate bar and the September issue of the alternative magazine Ode, in which my organic mommy had marked the article "You Do What You Eat."
It got me thinking: if Tufts University, Cornell University, Vassar College, Middlebury College (recently recognized by the Organic Consumers Association in the article "More Colleges Supporting Local, Organic Farmers") and other schools around the country are making strides to offer organic, wholesome food in their cafeterias, then how has Emerson College been left out of the mix?
Granted, the food at Emerson is great; it's a pull for many incoming freshmen. But, if the school offered organic options (foods free of over-processing, hormones, and free range and pesticide-free produce) in the Dining Hall, I know I would have had no second thoughts about attending Emerson.
Many new studies point toward the importance of a healthy diet for improved mental and physical health. Now, just imagine how much difference a simple change in diet could make for Emerson's average student. Diet should therefore be every student's first concern when walking into the dining hall or C-Store.
If these places offered organic food, would students go for it?
Coming from an organic family and living in the Wellness Community, a floor in the Little Building dedicated to teaching students how to live a healthier life, I have seen a large demand for organic food at Emerson since it tastes better, is more nutritious and can improve your health.
Eating organic can be difficult for many Emerson students. Both Trader Joe's and Whole Foods stores take quite a trek to get to from campus, especially in colder weather, and the price of organic food is significantly higher than regular groceries.
With the nearest food store blocks away from Emerson's campus and no organic grocer close by, many students just give in and purchase their food from Emerson's C-Store.
It got me thinking: if Tufts University, Cornell University, Vassar College, Middlebury College (recently recognized by the Organic Consumers Association in the article "More Colleges Supporting Local, Organic Farmers") and other schools around the country are making strides to offer organic, wholesome food in their cafeterias, then how has Emerson College been left out of the mix?
Granted, the food at Emerson is great; it's a pull for many incoming freshmen. But, if the school offered organic options (foods free of over-processing, hormones, and free range and pesticide-free produce) in the Dining Hall, I know I would have had no second thoughts about attending Emerson.
Many new studies point toward the importance of a healthy diet for improved mental and physical health. Now, just imagine how much difference a simple change in diet could make for Emerson's average student. Diet should therefore be every student's first concern when walking into the dining hall or C-Store.
If these places offered organic food, would students go for it?
Coming from an organic family and living in the Wellness Community, a floor in the Little Building dedicated to teaching students how to live a healthier life, I have seen a large demand for organic food at Emerson since it tastes better, is more nutritious and can improve your health.
Eating organic can be difficult for many Emerson students. Both Trader Joe's and Whole Foods stores take quite a trek to get to from campus, especially in colder weather, and the price of organic food is significantly higher than regular groceries.
With the nearest food store blocks away from Emerson's campus and no organic grocer close by, many students just give in and purchase their food from Emerson's C-Store.
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