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Glossary

You know you want to eat better, and you think you've found a good place to start (like through the Foodshed!). But there are a lot of words involved in becoming aware of what you're eating and it can be confusing to navigate the wealth of information available. Because of that, we've created this glossary of some common terms you may come across, on our website or on others that are related. 
 
All Natural or Natural Food - There is no standardized definition for "all natural" or "natural food," but the Merriam-Webster dictionary defines it as "food that has undergone minimal processing and contains no preservatives or artificial additives." There are currently no legal criteria for the use of the word "natural" in food labeling, which is one reason why it's good to read ingredient lists very carefully (or even better, buy food straight from the farm!). 

"Is There a Definition for Natural Foods?" from the Institute of Food Technology



 
Antibiotics - are medications used to treat or prevent bacterial diseases. Antibiotics are used as a proactively on many farms to prevent healthy animals from becoming sick, but it is also used by some farmers to help livestock gain weight quickly. While the use of antibitoics can minimize the number of sick animals and help prevent disease in case a small number of animals are infected or exposed to infection, widespread prophylactic use has been linked to increased numbers of drug-resistant bacteria and puts humans at risk.
 
 
 
  
Cage-free or Free-Range (Eggs and Poultry) - Many eggs are produced by chickens who spend their entire lives in cages. Free-range is generally accepted to mean that the chickens are allowed access to a farmyard, but there are no laws in the US governing the use of the term "free-range egg," and chickens raised for meat cannot be called "free-range" unless they have access to the outside, but they could still be kept on bare dirt or gravel. Good free-range farmers actually pasture their chickens, allowing them access to natural, fresh-growing vegetation and insects for feed, which is why it's so important to be familiar with your chicken farmer and his or her farming practices! Studies have shown that cage-free eggs have higher levels of Omega-3s and some vitamins.
 
                  
CSA or Community-Supported Agriculture - an economic model of farming that involves community members purchasing "shares" in a farm and receiving a portion of the farm's output in return. Generally this involves seasonal produce, delivered or picked up on a weekly basis, with a set cost and a yearly or seasonal subscription. This is a great way to learn about the seasonal availability of food in your area and to get to know a local farmer! The amount of food received will vary throughout the season and depending on the farmer's harvest, making this a true shared risk and shared benefit model of farming.
 
 

 


Foodshed - a foodshed is the geographical area that encompasses a particular food, from the place where the ingredients are first grown to the location of the plates it ends up on. The goal of the Foodshed Buying Club and other similar organizations is to make that area as small as possible for as many foods as possible.
 
 
 
 
GM or Genetically Modified Food - is food produced through the use of organisms whose DNA has been modified through genetic engineering in a laboratory. While the FDA has approved the sale of many genetically modified plant-based foods, many people are concerned that the long-term effects on human health, as well as the environmental impacts, have not been well-studied. Genetically engineered animals have not yet been approved for use in foods, but research is currently underway. The FDA does not require that GM food is labeled as such; many organizations are pushing for either the outright ban of genetically engineered foods, or at least consistent labeling so that consumers know what they are purchasing. Common GM crops in the US include soybeans and corn.
 
 
 
 
Grass fed - refers to livestock (usually cattle, but can refer to any livestock) fed primarily a foraging, pastured diet (see pastured), as opposed to livestock fed a grain-based diet. Studies have shown that grass-fed beef is lower in "bad" saturated fats and higher in omega-3 fatty acids than corn-fed beef.
 

 

 
 
Herbicide - a substance used to kill or limit the growth of unwanted plants. There are conventional herbicides, generally man-made and meant to mimic plant hormones, and there are herbicides acceptable fo ruse in organic farming, such as vinegar solutions, some spices, and citrus oil. Studies of herbicide use have shown that they can cause a decline in bird populations due to loss of habitat and food. Many commercial herbicides are highly toxic and can cause death when used inappropriately, and studies have linked the use of herbicides to increases in Parkinson's disease and cancer.
 
 
 
 
Homogenized milk -  has had its fat particles broken up so they are more uniformly distributed throughout the fluid milk. Milk purchased at the store has generally been homogenized. Non-homogenized milk has a layer of cream at the top and is generally shaken before drinking. Many whole foods proponents believe that homogenization reduces the health benefits of milk or even increase the health risks (such as heart disease). However, some studies have shown that homogenized milk may be easier to digest for people with certain intestinal disorders.
 
 
Organic food - food that has been grown and processed with little or no man-made material (such as synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, growth hormones, and antibiotics). Unlike "all natural," there are laws in many countries, including the US, regulating the use of the word "organic," and farms must go through a certification process to be able to call themselves organic. In the US, the certification process for food products is overseen by the National Organic Program. Studies have provided varied results on the health benefits of organic food versus non-organic, but organic farming is generally accepted as better for the environment. 
 
Pasteurized - food has been subjected to a heating process intended to slow the growth of potentially harmful microbes. Commonly pasteurized food includes milk and milk products, eggs, juice, beer, wine, and maple syrup. There are currently many debates over the benefits of pasteurized versus un-pasteurized foods, particularly milk, as some enzymes, vitamins, and beneficial bacteria are destroyed during the heating process. In much of the US, the sale of raw milk to consumers is limited by law. The FDA strongly recommends against consuming raw milk, but many other organizations promote it and some recent studies are revealing benefits, including that consuming raw milk leads to decreases in allergies and asthma.
 
 
 

Pastured - means the livestock are allowed to roam in a pasture, or an area of vegetation used for grazing. The animals get access to fresh food straight from the ground (grass, shrubs, etc.), and can generally eat at their own pace. The vegetation may be planted by the farmer or it may be made up of what grows naturally in the area. 

"Pasture" at Wikipedia
 

 

Pesticide - pesticides are substances used to mitigate the presence or effects of pests, such as microbes, insects, or weeds (for more specific information on substances used to kill weeds, see herbicides). These substances can be synthetic or natural, and are used in agriculture, medicine, and other fields. Many synthetic pesticides used in agriculture act as neurotoxins and can have severe effects on farm workers, who are exposed during the planting and harvesting processes, and consumers, who can be exposed while eating the foods. Common health effects of conventional pesticides include respiratory problems, cancer, blindness, neurological impacts, diabetes, infertility, and birth defects, Many pesticides also negatively impact the environment in many ways, including by increasing ozone, causing infertility in bird populations, and killing fish, amphibians, and insects through soil and water contamination. In the United States, pesticide use is regulated through the Environmental Protection Agency.
 

 
 
Sustainable - The UN defines sustainable development as "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." In theory, it involves three "pillars" - environmental, social, and economic - and is studied and supported by many fields, including ecology, economics, and agricultural and social sciences. In practice, sustainable living focuses on minimizing our long-lasting negative impacts on the world (for example, relevant to the Foodshed, through more environmentally- and community-friendly food!) Current focuses in the study of sustainability include climate change, pollution, energy consumption, and water sources.
 
 

 
Found a word you don't understand? Try Merriam-Webster for definitions or Wikipedia for articles. Or you can stop by our Facebook page and ask a question there! We'll be happy to help on your journey to better eating. 

Please remember that the volunteers at Foodshed are generally not medical professionals, and the information we provide should not be a substitute for the advice of a professional doctor or nutritionist. Just like you, we're mostly just a group of people who do a lot of research on the food we eat!