Food Tracking Activity

Green Giant Asparagus

OriginsAsparagus in general dates back to 3000 BC when it was found in Egypt, Syria,
and Spain. It was eaten fresh while it was in season, in temperate grasslands, and then in
the winter it was dried to keep edible. Asparagus was used as a vegetable and medicine
when it was first discovered. (Royal Botanic Gardens, n.d.)
Its Creation (Green Giant)Green Giants products are grown in locations in Canada, United States, Central
America, South America, and Asia. All of Green Giant products are planted with nonGMO seeds. Green asparagus, along with other vegetables, are planted and begin
growing in spring. Having the ability to be correctly stored, asparagus is able to be sold
year round. (Green Giant, 2014).
How it is produced and packaged?
They harvest the asparagus, cut the stalks, wash them, inspect them, and finally
can the asparagus. The products that are frozen are packaged in Illinois, California,
Minnesota, Idaho, Washington, and Mexico. The canned products are canned in
Minnesota, Idaho, Wisconsin, New York, Netherlands, and Peru. (Green Giant, 2014).
The asparagus is often times canned near the area it is grown so depending on where it is
grown (possibilities listed above) it is canned in that area, so that affects the distance it
travels until it gets to the store. Although Green Giant products, such as asparagus, are
grown with GMO free seeds, seasonings and sauces are added that may contain GMOs.
Green Giant does not purchase non-GMO seasoning ingredients (Green Giant, 2014).
What is the cost of this product?
This product can be purchased at any big name grocery store. It is approximately
$3.00 and compared to other canned asparagus on the market this is a good value for the
amount of asparagus you get, 14.5oz.
Is this product healthy to eat and for the environment?
I would consider this food healthy to eat and I would consider it fairly healthy for
the environment. Asparagus is known to strengthen the heart muscles, reduce cholesterol
levels, and to fight inflammation (Pitts, 2016). There are many health benefits from the
consumption of asparagus. Because there are added seasonings that may contain GMOs,
obviously this product has room for improvement. Since they are canning the product
near where it is grown and harvested, transportation costs are cut down. Pollution that
comes along with mass transport is also cut down because of the harvesting location.
Green Giant is known to practice fair trade for its workers.

Dole Blueberries
OriginsBlueberries date all the way back to 1615 when Indians would harvest wild
blueberries. In 1893, Elizabeth White saw a lot of potential in blueberries and pitched the
idea to farmers and the farmers didnt think blueberries could be domesticated. Finally
after doing some experimenting and promoting the first fields of blueberries began to pop
up in 1912. (Blueberries, 2014)
Its Creation (Dole)Dole blueberries are grown in Chile and Mexico. Many Dole fruits and vegetables
are grown and packaged in Asia and Latin America and are distributed to many locations,
including North America (Fresh Fruit, 2016). These products are the sold to retail chains
and wholesalers, which resell them to retail food stores. It is packaged in the location it is
grown and then distributed. The peak season to purchase blueberries from North America
is April through October; November through March from South America (Blueberries,
2014).
How it is produced and packaged?
The blueberries are grown and packaged in Chile, this way Dole can supply fresh
blueberries in the off season in the US. More than 600 metric tons of blueberries were
exported from Chile and 67% went to the US. When harvesting the blueberries they pick
them, wash them, inspect them, and the finally package and export them. All the handling
and packaging is done in Chile and Mexico. (Dole, 2016)
What is the cost of this product?
Dole Wild Blueberries 32oz package costs $9.36 from Wal-Mart. A 12oz package costs
$3.76 from Wal-Mart. This is only approximately $0.90 more than the Wal-Mart brand
blueberries.
Is this product healthy to eat and for the environment?
Blueberries are considered to be one of the healthiest fruits to eat. However, Dole
Blueberries were found to have 21 pesticide residues found by the USDA; four of which
are known for probable carcinogens (Pesticide Action Network, 2011). So, for that reason
I would consider this product unhealthy for the environment and not that healthy to
consume. Dole blueberries have good sources of dietary fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, and
Manganese. These nutrients benefit your heart health, immune system, blood clotting,
and metabolism. I would consider blueberries to be very healthy when focusing on these
health benefits. Dole has a focus on sustainability by recycling water, lowering
greenhouse gas emissions, protecting soil erosion, and being aware of the amount of
packaging used (Fresh Fruit, 2016). There is no hiding the pesticides found, but Dole
does have some motives that help the environment. With that being said, Dole is known
to practice fair trade and fairly pay their workers in foreign countries.

Gortons Grilled Salmon

HistorySalmon are caught by bays and near shorelines. Salmon population has dropped
heavily in the past few centuries. The Columbia River only has 3% of the salmon
population that was present when it was first discovered by Lewis and Clark. Salmon
canneries began to have a very negative impact on the salmon population in 1866. Teddy
Roosevelt observed that fisheries were in decline because the scarcity of salmon. (Quinn)
Its Creation (Gortons)Gortons deals with wild caught seafood some of which are caught in Alaska and
they also utilize aquaculture (fish farming) in order to help supply the growing demand
for fish. All of their fish contains eco-labels such as BAP and ASC, which are labels that
are given when all standards are completed in regards to farmed fish. They MSC logo
relates to wild caught fish which means it is responsibly sourced and it is up to all wild
caught fish standards. (Sustainability, 2016)
How it is produced and packaged?
As stated earlier the packaging contains eco labels stating the fish is caught and
packaged in accordance with set standards. Gortons is constantly trying to reduce the use
of the plastic film for packaging. The majority of the material (over 90%) used for
packaging is now from recycled fibers (Trusted Catch, 2016). The seafood is frozen as
soon as it is caught. Gortons has developed technology that allows them to cut the
seafood to size, season it, and package it, all while remaining frozen. Gortons partners
with several sustainable programs including SmartWay. SmartWay is a collaboration
between the US EPA and the freight transportation industry to track emissions and
improve fuel efficiency (Trusted Catch, 2016).
What is the cost of this product?
Gortons Classic Grilled Fish Fillets, 2 count, 6.3oz costs $2.98 at Wal-Mart.
Which comes out to be $1.49 per fillet. In terms of frozen grilled salmon Gortons is the
leading and most recognized brand. They have very little competition since they are able
to supply it at such a low cost.
Is this product healthy to eat and for the environment?
I would consider this a healthy food because salmon is considered quite healthy.
Gortons salmon, along with other fish, contain natural omega-3 fatty acids which greatly
benefit your health. Omega-3 fatty acids are known to lower the risk of chronic diseases
and help improve heart health and more (Kris, 2002). Fresh fish will always be a better
option, but it is hard to beat the price, convenience, and fast cooking of the Gortons
frozen salmon.
Gortons cares about the environment and have several sustainability partnerships
to improve the fisheries, conserve marine ecosystems, and to protect the health of the
oceans. Gortons is known to practice fair trade and fairly pay their workers. Strict
standards are set to ensure that all employees are treated respectively through good
treatment and working conditions. (Trusted Catch, 2016) Fish farming is considered to

be inhumane by many people, however. Gortons gets a lot of their fish from farming so
many people may consider Gortons to be an inhumane company.

Resources:
Blueberries. (2014). PadillaCRT. U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council. Retrieved from
http://www.blueberrycouncil.org/about-blueberries/history-of-blueberries/
Fresh Fruit. (2016). Dole Food Company Inc. Dole. Retrieved from
http://www.dole.com/en/products/blueberries
Green Giant. (2014). General Mills. Green Giant. Retrieved from
http://www.greengiant.com/Our-Story
Kris-Etherton PM, Harris WS, Appel LJ. (2002). Circulation. Fish Consumption, Fish
Oil, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, and Cardiovascular Disease; 106:27472757.
Retrieved from http://gortons.com/health/natural-omega-3
Pitts, Jonathan. (2016). Health Guidance. Health Benefits of Asparagus. Retrieved from
http://www.healthguidance.org/entry/12238/1/Health-Benefits-of-Asparagus.html
Royal Botanic Gardens. (n.d.). Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Asparagus officinalis.
Retrieved from http://www.kew.org/science-conservation/plants-fungi/asparagusofficinalis-garden-asparagus
Trusted Catch. (2016). Gortons. Trusted Catch: Green Initiatives. Retrieved from
http://gortons.com/quality-sustainability/green-initiatives
Dole. (2016). World of Dole. Retrieved February 23, 2016, from
http://www.dole.com/AboutDole/world-of-dole
Pesticide Action Network. (2011). Whats On My Food :: Pesticides on Blueberries,
Frozen. Retrieved February 23, 2016, from
http://www.whatsonmyfood.org/food.jsp?food=BZ
Quinn, T. NOAA/NMFS/NWFSC-TM30: Homing, Straying, and Colonization. Retrieved
February 23, 2016, from
http://www.nwfsc.noaa.gov/publications/scipubs/techmemos/tm30/quinn.html
Sustianability. (2016). Sustainability FAQ. Retrieved February 23, 2016, from
http://gortons.com/quality-sustainability/sustainability-faq