Product Standards
We know our customers have a variety of stores to choose from for their food needs, so it’s important we offer more than just the opportunity to be a member-owner. In addition to membership, we offer some of the finest high quality foods available, from all natural to sustainable, local organic products. At Lakewinds we pride ourselves in the promotion of local suppliers as well as worldwide fair trade products. Due to some customer demand or a lack of a suitable alternative, a small percentage (less than 1%) of our products may contain artificial ingredients. Please ask a staff member if you have any questions.
Natural Foods
Natural foods contain no added artificial ingredients, and thus have not been treated with preservatives, artificial colors or flavors, and animals have not been given growth hormones or antibiotics. However, animals are fed conventional (non-organic) feed, and food products (like corn or soy) may be a Genetically Modified Organism (GMO). There is a current legal battle over the ability to label dairy products non-rGBH that may affect how natural food stores can market their products. Lakewinds will continue to limit the number of GMO and rGBH foods on our shelves.
Organic Foods
Organic food production has made great strides into the marketplace, and organic versions of almost every desired food-type is now available. While ‘organic’ doesn’t address all the concerns of some of our customers (sustainability, water use, worker’s rights and wages, etc.), it is a good guarantee of a clean food product you can confidently feed your family. Lakewinds has four certified organic departments: meat, produce, bulk, and packaged grocery. For a department to be certified, receiving, processing and storage of product are carefully monitored and regulated to ensure that organic products can’t be contaminated or mixed up with conventional products.
There are four categories of labeling for organic foods now: 100%, 95-99%, greater than 70%, and less than 70%. Those with greater than 95% organic ingredients by weight can use the USDA Organics label. Over 70% can list the organic ingredients on the front of the box. If under 70%, then they can only list them in the ingredients list.
According to the USDA, organic food is produced by farmers who emphasize the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future generations. Organic meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones, and the animals are fed organic feed. Organic food is produced without using most conventional pesticides; fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge; bioengineering; or ionizing radiation. Before a product can be labeled "organic," a government-approved certifier inspects the farm where the food is grown to make sure the farmer is following all the rules necessary to meet USDA organic standards. Companies that handle or process organic food before it gets to your local supermarket or restaurant must be certified, too.
Local and Sustainable
Another large focus of natural food co-ops is promoting local small farmers and farmer-cooperatives that specialize in clean foods produced using sustainable farming techniques. Often these farmers are transitioning into organic farming (organic certification requires 3 years of pesticide free farming). We’ve seen some very successful small organic produce and livestock farms and local, unique, artisan cheese makers. Local food production of these types is another way to keep small farms going, even flourishing, and is good for the local economy. They keep food jobs and dollars in the local economy, and use less fossil fuels to bring their product to market. The Midwest Food Alliance is an excellent site to visit for more info.
Fair Trade Items
The Fair Trade Movement is somewhat new, but a very important new development in world-wide food production. Basically, through various cooperative methods, organizations are trying to get a fairer price for small peasant farmers and farm workers that have been devastated by world “free trade” commodity pricing. It can mean the difference between their 10 year-olds being in school or slaving away over our coffee beans. We currently carry fair trade coffee, tea, chocolate, sugar and bananas in the food store. We also feature many fair trade gift items in our Natural Home store.