Truenorth Organic 11feb12

7/31/2019 Truenorth Organic 11feb12

1/17

Paul M. Rich

1551 Pacific Ave, Santa Rosa, CA 95404

[email protected]

professorpaul.com

!

Dr.!Alan!Goldhamer!

TrueNorth!Health!Center!

1551!Pacific!Ave!

Santa!Rosa,!CA!95404!!

February!11,!2012!

!

Hi!Dr.!Goldhamer,!

!

I!am!writing!about!something!important!in!my!life!and,!I!believe,!important!for!the!future!of!

TrueNorth:!!availability!of!quality!organic!food.!

!

I!asked!my!assistant!Alison!Carrington!to!compile!information!about!organic!food!availability!from!

the!TrueNorth!produce!invoices,!with!the!hope!that!this!information!would!be!useful!for!all!of!us.!!

Attached!is!a!summary!of!findings!and!recommendations.!In!this!preliminary!analysis!we!gained!

insight!into!the!availability!and!cost!of!organic!food!as!it!varies!seasonally!(currently!~38%!organic!served,!at!2040+%!higher!cost!compared!with!conventional),!and!identified!various!ways!to!

increase!the!proportion!of!organic!food!offered!at!a!modest!increase!in!cost.!!

!

You!and!your!staff!have!been!exceptionally!supportive!in!helping!to!meet!my!special!needs,!

including!accommodating!my!need!for!only!organic!food.!I,!along!with!many!other!guests,!feel!as!

strongly!about!eating!only!organic!food!as!many!vegans!feel!about!eating!only!vegan!food.!Imagine!

vegans!not!knowing!if!>50%!of!their!food!might!contain!animal!products.!When!I!had!difficulty!

tracking!which!food!is!organic!at!TrueNorth,!you!kindly!supplied!me!copies!of!produce!invoices.!In!

addition,!Chef!Ramses!and!the!kitchen!staff!have!gone!far!out!of!their!way!to!assist!me,!always!

helpful,!friendly,!and!respectful.!Please!know!how!much!I!appreciate!their!dedication!and!hard!

work.!

!I!recognize!you!as!a!visionary!and!leader!in!medicine!focused!on!healthy!lifestyle,!building!

TrueNorth!as!a!premier!healing!center!based!on!fasting!and!healthy!vegan!food,!and!literally!saving!

lives!while!shaping!the!future!of!healthcare.!I!also!recognize!how!challenging!it!is!to!build!and!run!

an!institution!like!TrueNorth.!As!TrueNorth!grows!and!evolves,!among!other!desirable!changes,!I!

believe!increasing!the!availability!of!organic!food!is!crucial!from!the!standpoint!of!health,!

environment,!and!ethics,!as!well!as!from!a!business!standpoint.!

!

Thank!you!again,!and!please!know!how!grateful!I!am!to!you,!Chef!Ramses,!and!the!rest!of!your!staff.!

!

Sincerely,!

!Paul!Rich!

!

Attachments:!Summary!and!Recommendations,!Dirty!Dozen!List,!Data!Compilation!

cc:!Chef!Ramses!Bravo!

!

PMR!/arc!/cmb!


2/17/arc /cmb!

Organic Food at TrueNorth Health Center - February 11, 2012

input from Paul Rich, data analyzed by Alison Carrington

Goal:

Evaluate availability of organic food atTrueNorth Health Center and offerrecommendations for improvements.

What is organic? Food production with nochemical fertilizers, no pesticides, nosynthetic hormones, no dangerous additives,no genetically modified organisms, justhealthful real food.

Importance of eating organic: Supportingorganic means supporting a better world.Buying organic is "voting with ourpocketbooks", paying for responsiblepractices of agriculture, better food, cleaner

environment, and a sustainable future.

Why eat organic?

Health: better nutrition, lower toxins. Environment: health of land, wildlife,

sustainability, stewardship. Ethics: animals, farm workers, land.Methods: Observe organic food availability. Observe beliefs and needs of guests. Review produce invoices: items and cost,overall vs "dirty dozen".

What people believe:

TrueNorth is a leader for food. Food at TrueNorth is organic. It is worth paying more for organic.

Findings (12/13/11 - 2/10/12): Expenditure: $7,756.85 for organic items

of $16,642.25 spent (47% of cost) Proportion: 38% organic items served Dirty dozen:


3/17

/arc%/cmb%

Organic(Produce(.("Dirty(Dozen",(January(2012(

Compiled(by(Environmental(Working(Group(

(

Organic(Produce(Priorities:((Whether%you%are%on%a%budget%and%need%to%prioritize%your%

organic%purchases,%or%you%would%simply%like%to%know%which%type%of%conventional%produce%

has%the%highest%pesticide%residuesthe%following%guide%from%the%Environmental%Working%Group%(EWG)%will%help.(

%

Dirty(Dozen(12(most(contaminated)(

B%Apples%%B%Celery%

B%Strawberries%B%Peaches%

B%Spinach%

B%Nectarines%B%imported%B%Grapes%B%imported%

B%Sweet%bell%peppers%B%Potatoes%

B%lueberries%B%domestic%

B%Lettuce%

B%Kale/collard%greens%

%

EWG(Full(List((lower(numbers(=(more(

pesticide(residues)(

1%Apples%

2%Celery%

3%Strawberries%

4%Peaches%5%Spinach%

6%Nectarines%B%imported%

7%Grapes%B%imported%8%Sweet%bell%peppers%

9%Potatoes%10%lueberries%B%domestic%

11%Lettuce%

12%Kale/collard%greens%

13%Cilantro%

14%Cucumbers%

15%Grapes%B%domestic%16%Cherries%

17%Pears%

18%Nectarines%B%domestic%

19%Hot%peppers%

20%Green%beans%B%domestic%

21%Carrots%22%Plums%B%imported%

23%lueberries%B%imported%24%Raspberries%

25%Green%beans%B%imported%

26%Summer%squash%27%Oranges%

28%roccoli%29%Green%onions%

30%ananas%

31%Cantaloupe%B%imported%

32%Honeydew%melon%

33%Cauliflower%

34%Tomatoes%

35%Papaya%

36%Cranberries%

37%Plums%B%domestic%

38%Winter%squash%

39%Mushrooms%40%Grapefruit%

41%Sweet%potatoes%

42%Watermelon%43%Cabbage%

44%Kiwi%45%Cantaloupe%B%domestic%

46%Eggplant%

47%Mangoes%

48%Sweet%peas%B%frozen%

49%Asparagus%

50%Avocado%51%Pineapples%

52%Sweet%Corn%

53%Onions%

%

%%

Source%:%http://www.ewg.org/foodnews%


4/17

Organic vs Conventional

Page 1 of 14

TrueNorth Organic vs Conventional Food

Invoice

Date Invoice# Company

Organic

Items #

Con

Items #

Organic

Cost Con Cost

%

Items

%

Cost

12/13/11 2582798 General Produce 1 33 $ 29.80 $ 699.95 3% 4%

12/14/11 474355 Earl's Organic 10 0 $ 342.00 100% 100%

12/16/11 474556 Earl's Organic 15 0 $ 484.00 100% 100%

12/16/11 2584942 General Produce 1 18 $ 29.65 $ 295.70 5% 9%

12/17/11 2585765 General Produce 2 26 $ 59.50 $ 432.20 7% 12%

12/19/11 474774 Earl's Organic 13 0 $ 387.00 100% 100%

12/20/11 2587119 General Produce 0 17 $ 417.95 0% 0%

12/22/11 2588474 General Produce 0 11 $ 220.75 0% 0%

12/23/11 475218 Earl's Organic 17 0 $ 723.50 100% 100%

12/23/11 2589374 General Produce 0 10 $ 244.15 0% 0%

12/24/11 2589918 General Produce 6 21 $ 174.35 $ 460.75 22% 27%

12/27/11 ? General Produce 1 9 $ 29.65 $ 176.85 10% 14%

12/30/11 475655 Earl's Organic 12 0 $ 369.00 100% 100%

12/30/11 2593314 General Produce 0 17 $ 347.75 0% 0%

1/3/12 2595278 General Produce 2 45 $ 39.70 $ 949.65 4% 4%

1/4/12 476010 Earl's Organic 10 0 $ 329.50 100% 100%

1/6/12 476289 Earl's Organic 13 0 $ 431.50 100% 100%

1/6/12 2597647 General Produce 0 12 $ 335.80 0% 0%

1/7/12 2598324 General Produce 0 16 $ 270.65 0% 0%

1/9/12 476483 Earl's Organic 16 0 $ 464.50 100% 100%

1/10/12 2599638 General Produce 0 10 $ 239.10 0% 0%

1/11/12 476765 Earl's Organic 17 0 $ 418.75 100% 100%

1/13/12 2601536 General Produce 0 11 $ 214.55 0% 0%

1/14/12 2602723 General Produce 0 21 $ 446.50 0% 0%

1/16/12 477220 Earl's Organic 16 0 $ 505.00 100% 100%

1/18/12 477459 Earl's Organic 14 0 $ 404.00 100% 100%1/20/12 2606288 General Produce 1 35 $ 761.20 3% 0%

1/21/12 2607140 General Produce 1 13 $ 238.65 7% 0%

1/23/12 477894 Earl's Organic 17 0 $ 513.50 100% 100%

1/25/12 478101 Earl's Organic 10 0 $ 247.00 100% 100%

1/27/12 2610598 General Produce 0 12 $ 279.45 0% 0%

1/30/12 478560 Earl's Organic 19 0 550.25$ 100% 100%

1/31/12 2612746 General Produce 2 17 $ 21.80 $ 435.00 11% 5%

2/1/12 478801 Earl's Organic 13 0 $ 431.50 100% 100%

2/3/12 479037 Earl's Organic 10 0 $ 266.00 100% 100%

2/3/12 2615068 General Produce 1 13 $ 30.00 $ 230.75 7% 12%

2/4/12 2615955 General Produce 0 37 $ 694.50 0% 0%

2/7/12 2617332 General Produce 2 20 $ 40.90 $ 493.55 9% 8%2/10/12 479720 Earl's Organic 18 0 $ 434.50 100% 100%

Total 260 424 $ 7,756.85 $ 8,885.40 38% 47%

Total Cost $ 16,642.25

Organic Con % Difference

Cost per Unit 29.83$ 20.96$ 42%


5/17

Dirty Dozen

Page 2 of 14

TrueNorth Organic vs Conventional Food - Dirty Dozen

Dirty dozen

% Items

Organic% Cost

Organic

% Higher

Cost / Item Notes

Apples 60% 72% 68%

mixed types, not

proper comparison

Celery22% 36% 95%

comparison out ofseason

Strawberries 17% 21% 30%

Peaches

Spinach 27% 23% -20%

Nectarines

Grapes 0% 0%

Bell Peppers 15% 14%

Potatoes29% 61% 289%

mixed types, notproper comparison

Blueberries 50% 67% 103%

Lettuce 57% 60% 14% Romaine lettuce

Kale/Collards84% 88% 41%

local source fororganic mostly used

Current Cost Comparison - February 2012

OrganicCost

Con Cost % Higher Cost

Apples 46.00$ 35.95$ 28% Gala

Celery 40.50$ 18.55$ 118%

Strawberries 35.00$ 27.65$ 27% 8 ct. vs. 12 ct.Peaches

Spinach 13.50$ 16.85$ -20%

Nectarines

Grapes

Bell Peppers 21.50$ 28.35$ -24%

Potatoes 58.00$ 29.30$ 98% Yukon Gold

Blueberries 49.00$ 20.35$ 141% 12 x 4 vs 6

Lettuce 20.00$ 21.80$ -8% Romaine

Kale/Collards 24.00$ 30.00$ -20%


6/17

Apples

Page 3 of 14

TrueNorth Dirty Dozen - Apples

Invoice

Date

# Organic

Items

# Con

Items

Organic

Cost Con Cost

% Items

Organic

% Cost

Organic

12/13/11

12/14/11 1 $ 57.50

12/16/11 1 $ 57.50

12/17/11

12/19/11

12/20/11 1 $ 29.75

12/22/11

12/23/11

12/24/11 1 $ 32.35

12/27/11

12/30/11

1/3/12 1 $ 31.50

1/4/12

1/6/12 1 $ 58.00

1/7/12

1/9/12

1/10/12

1/11/12

1/13/12

1/14/12

1/16/12 1 $ 57.50

1/18/12

1/20/12 1 $ 29.55

1/21/12

1/23/12

1/25/12

1/27/122/1/12 1 $ 57.50

2/7/12 1 35.95$

Total 6 4 $ 320.35 $ 126.75 60% 72%

Average 53.39$ 31.69$ 68%higher per

item

Note: large cost differences between Fuji, Pink Lady, Red Delicious, and other varieties


7/17

Celery

Page 4 of 14

TrueNorth Dirty Dozen - Celery

Invoice

Date

# Organic

Items

# Con

Items

Organic

Cost Con Cost

% Items

Organic

% Cost

Organic

12/13/11 1 $ 21.65

12/14/11 1 $ 34.50

12/16/11 1 $ 22.15

12/17/11 1 $ 22.15

12/19/11

12/20/11

12/22/11

12/23/11

12/24/11

12/27/11

12/30/11 1 $ 21.05

1/3/12 1 $ 21.05

1/4/12

1/6/12

1/7/12 1 $ 20.25

1/9/12

1/10/12 1 $ 20.10

1/11/12

1/13/12

1/14/12 1 $ 20.95

1/16/12

1/18/12 1 $ 45.50

1/20/12

1/21/12 1 $ 24.50

1/23/12

1/25/12

1/27/12 1 $ 27.751/30/12 1 $ 49.50

1/31/12 1 $ 27.90

2/3/12 1 $ 18.55

2/4/12 1 $ 18.55

2/7/12 1 $ 18.90

2/10/12 1 40.50$

Total 4 14 $ 170.00 $ 305.50 22% 36%


item

Celery: note increased cost differential in off season


8/17

Strawberries

Page 5 of 14

TrueNorth Dirty Dozen - Strawberries

Invoice

Date

# Organic

Items

# Con

Items

Organic

Cost Con Cost

% Items

Organic

% Cost

Organic

12/13/11 1 $ 32.00

12/14/11

12/16/11

12/17/11

12/19/11

12/20/11 1 $ 32.00

12/22/11

12/23/11

12/24/11

12/27/11 1 $ 32.00

12/30/11

1/3/12 1 $ 24.40

1/4/12

1/6/12

1/7/12

1/9/12

1/10/12

1/11/12

1/13/12 1 $ 23.45

1/14/12

1/16/12

1/18/12

1/20/12 1 $ 23.00

1/21/12

1/23/12

1/25/12

1/27/121/30/12 1 $ 35.00

2/1/12 1 $ 35.00

2/7/12 1 27.65$

Total 1 5 $ 35.00 $ 134.85 17% 21%


item


9/17

Peaches

Page 6 of 14

TrueNorth Dirty Dozen - Peaches

Invoice

Date

# Organic

Items

# Con

Items

Organic

Cost Con Cost

% Items

Organic

% Cost

Organic

12/13/11

12/14/11

12/16/11

12/16/1112/17/11

12/19/11

12/20/11

12/22/11

12/23/11

12/23/11

12/24/11

12/27/11

12/30/11

12/30/11

1/3/12

1/4/12

1/6/12

1/6/12

1/7/12

1/9/12

1/10/12

1/11/12

1/13/12

1/14/12

1/16/12

1/18/12

1/20/121/21/12

1/23/12

1/25/12

1/27/12

1/30/12

1/31/12

2/1/12

2/3/12

2/3/12

2/4/12

2/7/12

2/10/12

Totals None


10/17

Spinach

Page 7 of 14

TrueNorth Dirty Dozen - Spinach

Invoice

Date

# Organic

Items

# Con

Items

Organic

Cost Con Cost

% Items

Organic

% Cost

Organic

12/13/11 1 $ 16.85

12/14/11

12/16/11

12/17/11

12/19/11

12/20/11 1 $ 17.05

12/22/11 1 $ 16.95

12/23/11

12/24/11 1 $ 16.95

12/27/11

12/30/11

1/3/12

1/4/12

1/6/12 1 $ 16.85

1/7/12 1 $ 16.85

1/9/12

1/10/12 1 $ 16.85

1/11/12

1/13/12

1/14/12

1/16/12 1 $ 13.50

1/18/12

1/20/12 1 $ 16.85

1/21/12

1/23/12 1 $ 13.50

1/25/12

1/27/121/30/12 1 $ 13.50

1/31/12 1 $ 16.85

2/4/12 1 $ 16.85

2/7/12 1 $ 16.85

2/10/12 1 13.50$

Total 4 11 $ 54.00 $ 185.75 27% 23%

Average 13.50$ 16.89$ -20%less per

item


11/17

Nectarines

Page 8 of 14

TrueNorth Dirty Dozen - Nectarines

Invoice

Date

# Organic

Items

# Con

Items

Organic

Cost Con Cost

% Items

Organic

% Cost

Organic

12/13/11

12/14/11

12/16/11

12/16/1112/17/11

12/19/11

12/20/11

12/22/11

12/23/11

12/23/11

12/24/11

12/27/11

12/30/11

12/30/11

1/3/12

1/4/12

1/6/12

1/6/12

1/7/12

1/9/12

1/10/12

1/11/12

1/13/12

1/14/12

1/16/12

1/18/12

1/20/121/21/12

1/23/12

1/25/12

1/27/12

1/30/12

1/31/12

2/1/12

2/3/12

2/3/12

2/4/12

2/7/12

2/10/12

Totals None


12/17

Grapes

Page 9 of 14

TrueNorth Dirty Dozen - Grapes

Invoice

Date

# Organic

Items

# Con

Items

Organic

Cost Con Cost

% Items

Organic

% Cost

Organic

12/13/11

12/14/11

12/16/11

12/17/11 1 $ 47.4012/17/11 1 $ 30.60

12/20/11

12/22/11

12/23/11

12/24/11 1 $ 47.40

12/27/11

12/30/11 1 $ 38.95

12/30/11 1 $ 43.45

1/4/12

1/6/12 1 $ 38.95

1/6/12 1 $ 36.85

1/9/12

1/10/12

1/11/12

1/13/12

1/14/12 1 $ 38.15

1/16/12

1/18/12

1/20/12 1 $ 34.55

1/20/12 1 $ 27.30

1/23/12

1/25/12

1/27/121/31/12 1 $ 32.45

1/31/12 1 $ 31.65

Total 0 12 $ - $ 447.70 0% 0%

Average 37.31$


13/17

Bell Peppers

Page 10 of 14

TrueNorth Dirty Dozen - Bell Peppers

Invoice

Date

# Organic

Items

# Con

Items

Organic

Cost Con Cost

% Items

Organic

% Cost

Organic

12/13/11 1 $ 30.25

12/13/11 1 $ 34.55

12/16/11

12/17/1112/19/11

12/20/11

12/22/11 1 $ 34.55

12/22/11 1 $ 34.55

12/24/11

12/27/11

12/30/11 1 $ 30.25

1/3/12 1 $ 35.00

1/3/12 1 $ 34.55

1/6/12

1/7/12

1/9/12

1/10/12

1/11/12

1/13/12

1/14/12

1/16/12

1/18/12

1/20/12 1 $ 35.00

1/21/12

1/23/12

1/27/12 1 $ 23.95

1/27/12 1 $ 28.351/27/12 1 $ 37.00

1/27/12 1 $ 28.35

2/10/12 1 21.50$

Total 2 11 $ 58.50 $ 349.35 15% 14%

Average 29.25$ 31.76$


14/17

Potatoes

Page 11 of 14

TrueNorth Dirty Dozen - Potatoes

Invoice

Date

# Organic

Items

# Con

Items

Organic

Cost Con Cost

% Items

Organic

% Cost

Organic

12/13/11

12/14/11

12/16/11 1 $ 40.50

12/17/1112/19/11

12/20/11

12/22/11

12/23/11 1 $ 40.50

12/24/11 3 $ 21.30

12/27/11 1 $ 24.50

12/30/11

1/3/12

1/4/12 1 $ 22.00

1/6/12

1/7/12 2 $ 14.20

1/9/12 1 $ 42.00

1/10/12

1/11/12

1/13/12 2 $ 14.20

1/14/12

1/16/12

1/18/12

1/20/12 1 $ 28.95

1/21/12 2 $ 14.20

1/23/12

1/25/12

1/27/12 2 $ 14.201/30/12 1 $ 58.00

2/4/12 1 $ 29.30

2/7/12 1 $ 7.10

2/10/12 1 58.00$

Total 6 15 $ 261.00 $ 167.95 29% 61%

Average 43.50$ 11.20$ 289%more per

item

note: large cost differences between purple, russet, yukon gold, and other varieties


15/17

Blueberries

Page 12 of 14

TrueNorth Dirty Dozen - Blueberries

Invoice

Date

# Organic

Items

# Con

Items

Organic

Cost Con Cost

% Items

Organic

% Cost

Organic

12/13/11 1 $ 27.05

12/14/11

12/16/11

12/17/11 1 $ 26.9512/19/11

12/20/11 1 $ 26.95

12/22/11

12/23/11

12/24/11 1 $ 23.95

12/27/11

12/30/11

1/3/12

1/4/12 1 $ 61.00

1/6/12

1/7/12

1/9/12

1/10/12

1/11/12

1/13/12

1/14/12

1/16/12 1 $ 50.00

1/18/12

1/20/12 1 $ 19.15

1/21/12

1/23/12

1/25/12

1/27/121/30/12 1 $ 35.50

2/1/12 1 $ 49.00

2/3/12 1 $ 49.00

2/7/12 1 20.35$

2/10/12 1 $ 49.00

Total 6 6 $ 293.50 $ 144.40 50% 67%


item


16/17

Lettuce

Page 13 of 14

TrueNorth Dirty Dozen - Lettuce, Romaine

Invoice

Date

# Organic

Items

# Con

Items

Organic

Cost Con Cost

% Items

Organic

% Cost

Organic

12/13/11 1 $ 22.50

12/14/11

12/16/11 1 $ 23.00

12/17/1112/19/11 2 $ 54.00

12/20/11 1 $ 21.80

12/22/11

12/23/11

12/24/11

12/27/11

12/30/11

1/3/12

1/4/12

1/6/12 1 $ 27.00

1/7/12

1/9/12 1 $ 27.00

1/10/12

1/11/12

1/13/12

1/14/12 1 $ 21.80

1/16/12

1/18/12

1/20/12 1 $ 21.80

1/21/12

1/23/12

1/25/12 1 $ 27.00

1/27/121/30/12 1 $ 21.50

1/31/12 1 $ 21.80

2/4/12 1 $ 21.80

2/10/12 1 20.00$

Total 8 6 $ 199.50 $ 131.50 57% 60%


item


17/17

Kale-Collards

Page 14 of 14

TrueNorth Dirty Dozen - Kale

Invoice

Date

# Organic

Items

# Con

Items

Organic

Cost Con Cost

% Items

Organic

% Cost

Organic

12/13/11

12/14/11

12/16/11

12/17/1112/19/11

12/20/11

12/22/11

12/23/11 1 $ 15.00

12/24/11

12/27/11

12/30/11

1/3/12

1/4/12 1 $ 20.00

1/6/12

1/7/12

1/9/12

1/10/12

1/11/12

1/13/12

1/14/12 0.25 $ 7.50

1/16/12

1/18/12 1 $ 25.50

1/20/12

1/21/12

1/23/12 1 $ 26.50

1/25/12 1 $ 26.50

1/27/121/30/12 1 $ 26.00

2/3/12 1 $ 25.50

2/4/12 0.25 $ 7.50

2/7/12 1 $ 10.20

2/10/12 1 24.00$

Total 8 1.5 $ 189.00 $ 25.20 84% 88%


itemnote broken lot and one good deal

Documents

Truenorth Organic 11feb12