Interview Source

Shobha Gardi received her BA of Science in Dietetics and Nutrition from the University of Central Missouri in 1988. She has had internships at Truman Medical Center and she also worked at the University of Kansas Medical Center and Nutri System. She is now devoted to health and nutrition in other ways such as participating in the running club of the elementary school that she works at. She plays tennis twice a week and eats healthy to maintain an active lifestyle. On a Saturday afternoon after we finished a naturally raised meal from Chipotle, I decided to sit down with her to discuss the importance of eating organic.

Anastasia Gardi: The topic I want to discuss today is “what is the difference between organic and inorganic food, and does it matter which we consume?” First off, what is your opinion on this research topic? 

Shobha Gardi: I feel it’s a very important topic that needs to be discussed, especially in today’s society where everyone is trying to live a healthier lifestyle. I’m not certain if it matters that you only buy organic.

Anastasia Gardi: Where do you find your motivation/inspiration for your current belief on this topic?

Shobha Gardi: Mainly for personal reasons. With a background in the medical field and both of my parents being physicians, they taught us how important it was to eat healthy and live an active lifestyle.

Anastasia Gardi: What sort of resources do you use when conducting your research?

Shobha Gardi: I talk to friends, family, and physicians. I also read a lot of magazines and try to watch the news to stay updated on things.

Anastasia Gardi: Do you tend to buy more organic or non-organic food?

Shobha Gardi: Both. I try to eat lean meat, lots of fruits and vegetables. I don’t necessarily have to organic. I would like to buy more organic foods if it was more economically feasible. I think if we it was easier financially for the general public, more people would be trying to consistently buy organic only.

Anastasia Gardi: Are there any benefits/disadvantages to eating organic/conventional foods?

Shobha Gardi: The disadvantages are that its expensive and it can be hard to find in some areas. The advantages would be no chemicals, meaning it’s healthier. Eating organic is also a cleaner way of eating.

Anastasia Gardi: Do you have any final thoughts about the organic market that you wanted to share?

Shobha Gardi: I feel that organic is a loose term in America these days because not everything that is organic is necessarily 100% organic. But I think a lot of people are spending the extra money on organic products because they think it’s automatically better. I’m just not sure that’s the case.

What I learned from completing this interview was that there is likely to be a lot of mystery surrounding the organic market and what it means for something to be considered organic. Consumers aren’t exactly sure what they are paying for, so eating organic is not always a priority for most. As I continue with my research, I hope to continue to define what “organic” means and explore the advantages/disadvantages of buying organic versus conventional foods.

Source:

Gardi, Shobha. Personal Interview. 14 September 2019.