Private organizations play a big role in research and education by potentially being more non-biased in their scientific determinations than government agencies which may or may not be funded or influenced by the food industry. On the other hand, some private agencies and lobbying groups may be influenced or funded by food companies. And other groups simply exist for food education, with missions that range from getting closer to farmers through CSAs and other community oriented goals. View what these organizations stand for and decide for yourself.
FROM THE ORGANIZATIONS -
Private & Non-Profits
health and nutrition advocates​
INSTITUTE FOR RESPONSIBLE NUTRITION
Their website sums it up - ResponsibleFoods.org. According to their mission statement, the IRN believes that "nutrition that prevents and reduces food-related illness and promotes a healthy society. IRN will serve as a leading source of science-based information on nutrition."
Recently released a film entitled "Sugar Coated" (currently streaming on Netflix June 2016) that discusses sugar consumption primarily in the US and Canada, its effect on the number of people affected by diabetes, and a bit of history of the sugar industry's efforts to promote the use of sugar and to possibly distract from the ill effects of excess sugar. Watching it will make you reach for a fruit rather than fruit candy or fruit juice. Promise. Watch the film trailer.
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ENVIRONMENTAL WORKING GROUP​
The mission of the EWG is to "empower people to live healthier lives in a healthier environment. With breakthrough research and education, we drive consumer choice and civic action." They research, report, and make recommendations on such issues as toxics and pesticides in our foods and water, GMOs, farming, energy, sustainability, child care, home tips, and personal care products. Known for their "Dirty 12, Clean 15" list, which ranks which fruits and vegetables have the highest and lowest levels of pesticides.
CENTER FOR SCIENCE IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST​
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food policy & sustainabILITY
ORGANIC TRADE ORGANIZATION
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CIVIL EATS
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PLANT BASED FOODS ASSOCIATION
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home gardening
HOME GARDENING ASSOCIATION
This organization boasts a database with more than 400,000 photos of 700,000 plants, with descriptions and growing hints for many types of fruits, herbs, vegetables, houseplants and flowers. Their mission is to promote gardening by helping home gardeners succeed, by providing advice, information, how-to articles, and forums to support to a community of gardeners, through their website and books. They are supported by a number of commercial companies, many offering gardening-related products, dedicated to their mission of sustainable food gardens and landscapes.
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