Organic Theory Newsletter

EAT YOUR BEST FEEL YOUR BEST NO. XI V | NO V EM B ER 2 01 3 F R EE N EWS LET T ER

{something sweet} DINNER ON THE FARM DIG IN AND GIVE BACK IN OUR ORGANIC FARM BENEFIT

OH, HONEY! A SNEEK PEAK AT OUR NEW ORGANIC MANUKA HONEY

ORGANIC LABELS 101 UNDERSTANDING ORGANIC PRODUCE LABELS

contents 2 4 5 6

WHAT’S NEW DINNER ON THE FARM OH, HONEY! ORGANIC LABELS 101

{ } introducing

our brand new

or ganic h o n e y

november 2013

WHATS NEW {this month at organic theory} we are going all-out on all things honey. we believe that nothing is better than sweetening your day with our pure organic manuka honey.

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NOVEMBER EVENTS

as the temperature get cooler so do the events here at Organic Theory - from benefits and cooking competitions to the celebration of our latest addition to the family, our very own organic manuka honey. here we have all the details to all our november events so you won’t miss out! theory: when life is sweet, say thank you and celebrate.

ORGANIC THEORY HONEY LAUNCH PARTY 13TH - 15TH NOVEMBER

To celebrate our newly released pure organic manuka honey, we are holding a launch party at our restaurant where we will serve dishes cooked with our very own honey to add some sweetness to the season.

RESERVATION: ohhoney@theorganictheory.com 269-208-4805 VISIT THE SITE: ohhoney.theorganictheory.com

ORGANIC THEORY NEWSLETTER - NOVEMBER 04

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COOK SOMETHING YUMMY WITH HONEY 24TH - 25TH NOVEMBER

Other than a party, why not hold a cooking competition to celebrate our new organic honey? This competition is open to everyone and anyone. Simply send us your recipe and a picture of your creation.

The finalists will then battle it out in front of our judges on the 24th and 25th of November.

ENTRIES:

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yummyhoney@theorganictheory.com at the latest 15th November

COOK-OFF VENUE: Organic Theory Restaurant, 2nd Floor

DINNER ON THE FARM 28TH NOVEMBER

Nothing feels better than giving back and sharing. The evening will feature an elegant multi-course farm dinner experience showcasing a seasonal menu using farm-fresh produce and meat hosted at the beautiful Eater’s Guild Farm to benefit local organic farms.

WHERE: Easter’s Guild Farm, North Westershire RESERVATION: dinneronthefarm@theorganictheory.com 269-208-4805

WALK WITH ME MARATHON 30TH NOVEMBER

To promote a healthier lifestyle, we have teamed up with our friends over at Fitness First for our very first 10km marathon.

Wahether you like to run or prefer a more relaxing walk, join the marathon and get fit!

WHERE: Start at Senayan, end at Menteng ENTRIES: walkwithme@theorganictheory.com £10/person Register by 25th November

ORGANIC THEORY NEWSLETTER - NOVEMBER 05

ORGANIC LABELS 101

Navigating the maze of organic food labels, benefits, and claims can be confusing.

What do the food labels such as “organic,” “natural,” “free-range,” and “non-GMO” really mean? Understanding this terminology is essential when you’re shopping for organic foods. theory: “natural” does not equal organic.

“Natural” is an unregulated term that can be

access to the outdoors. Cattle are naturally ruminants that

applied by anyone, whereas organic certification means

eat grass, so they tend to be healthier and leaner when fed

that set production standards have been met. These pro-

this way. In addition, grass fed beef has been shown to

duction standards vary from country to country—in the

have more of the healthy omega-3 fatty acids.

U.S., for example, only the “USDA Organic” label indi-

cates that a food is certified organic. Similar certification

means slightly different things in different parts of the

labels are also offered on organic products in other parts

world. Broadly, it means that the animals weren’t confined

of the world, including the European Union, Canada, and

to a cage and had access to the outdoors. Unfortunately,

Australia.

in the U.S. at least, the animal density can still be very high

Free range – Again the term “free range”

When you’re shopping for organic foods in

and the animals may have only short periods outside in

the U.S., look for the “USDA Organic” seal. Only foods

an area that’s quite small. Therefore, it is difficult to tell

that are 95 to 100 percent organic can use the USDA Or-

exactly what free range means when you see it on meat

ganic label. 100% Organic – Foods that are complete-

packaging in the U.S. You can contact the producer direct-

ly organic or made with 100% organic ingredients may

ly for clarification.

display the USDA seal. Organic – Foods that contain at

least 95% organic ingredients may display the USDA seal.

other countries where the use of growth hormones is per-

Made with organic ingredients – Foods that contain at

mitted, this term indicates that animals are raised without

least 70% organic ingredients will not display the USDA

the use of any added growth hormones. For beef and

seal but may list specific organic ingredients on the front

dairy products it can be helpful, but by law, poultry and

of the package.

pigs cannot be given hormones, so don’t pay extra for

chicken or pork products that use this label.

Contains organic ingredients – Foods that

No hormones added – In the U.S. and some

contain less than 70% organic ingredients will not display

the USDA seal but may list specific organic ingredients on

tified organic in the U.S., the use of the USDA Organic

the information panel of the package.

label is voluntary. At the same time, not everyone goes

The organic label is the most regulated term,

through the rigorous process of becoming certified, es-

but when it comes to meat, we often see many other terms

pecially smaller farming operations. When shopping at

used. In order to make informed choices, it is helpful to

a farmers’ market, for example, don’t hesitate to ask the

know what some of these terms mean, although their use

vendors how their food was grown.

can often vary from country to country.

Natural – In the U.S., this label means “mini-

the farmers do not use pesticides, chemical fertilizers, or

mally processed” and that the meat can’t have any artificial

drugs. Organic certification and maintaining this status

colors, artificial flavors, preservatives, or any other artifi-

is expensive. Organic feed for animals can cost twice as

cial ingredients in it. Animals can still be given antibiotics

much. Organic farms tend to be smaller than convention-

or growth enhancers. For example, this term can be ap-

al farms, which means fixed costs and overhead must be

plied to all raw cuts of beef since they aren’t processed.

distributed across smaller produce volumes. Most organic

farms are too small to receive government subsidies. This

Grass fed – This term means that the animals

are fed solely on a diet of grass or hay. These animals have

Keep in mind that even if a producer is cer-

Organic food is more labor intensive since

makes organic food more expensive.

ORGANIC THEORY NEWSLETTER - NOVEMBER 07

TH E ORGA N I C TH E ORY.C OM