But do you know who your money is actually going to? What company is actually standing behind the brand you thought you were supporting?
Watch this video to find out:
The list that Chef Guiliano talks about in the video can be found on his blog here: http://www.chefonamissionblog.com/2011/10/who-owns-who-in-organic-companies-who.html
I'm would never suggest that you stop purchasing product from the companies that are no longer independent, (are you kidding... Green & Black's chocolate is heavenly) -- after all you're still telling that behind-the-scenes company that you prefer the organic products much better than the swill that they are peddling. You're telling them that consumers are starting to wise up and that the market is there for these products.
That being said, it's important to know where your food is coming from; and who is really benefiting from the money you're spending. Don't think that just because there is a nice "How we got started" story behind the food, that it has stayed exactly the same. Do your research - choose who you want to support and don't wander around blindly. If your intention is to buy local, you'll want to make sure that is actually what you're doing.
Knowing that these companies have sold out, and knowing the practices of some of their new owners, it'll be hard to trust these products in the future. What concessions might be made to make the products cheaper to produce? Are the ingredients still being obtained from the same places or does the company have new suppliers?
The food industry is nothing if not shrouded in secrets; you have to be willing to ask these kinds of questions. If you don't, it won't be truth that you'll be fed.
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