In Organic We Trust is Kiplin Pastor's investigative look at the world created around the sometimes confusing word “organic.” Included are interviews with many of the people at the forefront of this movement. Kiplin starts with the basic question “what does 'organic' actually mean?”. From there he asks ordinary people what the organic label means to them and why they choose to buy organic or conventional products. An overall theme to this documentary is the fundamental question: “are organic methods really better than conventional ones?” These are the kinds of things that Kiplin set out to answer with this film.

            With recent health scares associated with conventionally produced foods, including salmonella in peanut butter, E. coli in spinach and listeria in cantaloupe, many more people are shifting to the organic label. Over 73% of households now admit to purchasing at least some organic foods, but many people don't know what the FDA definition of “organic” is, or how it pertains to the foods we consume. This film effectively explains the difference between conventional and organic foods, as well as the differences between large corporate “agribusiness” farms and small family owned ones. In Organic We Trust also proves that whether its a picky kid or a picky adult, knowing where your food comes from can make all the difference.

Are organic foods actually healthier than conventional ones? Can large corporate monoculture type farms produce truly organic food? Is the term “organic” just a marketing scam? Can things such as cookies, candy and sodas really be organic?  In Organic We Trust takes a deep and compelling look at the organic movement and what it all means. With over $30 billion dollars a year in revenue and growing there's got to be something there, right?

            This film presented a bit of an unrelated dilemma for me. On the one hand it had all the right information and covered all the right bases. Kiplin thoroughly answered all of the questions he posed throughout this film using interviews with the leading people in the organic foods movement. He also added a segment at the end of the film explaining that there is hope amongst all the doom and gloom and how ordinary people can make a difference. The dilemma is that, for me, there was no new information given here. I've been interested in this subject matter for years. I've read all of the books written by the interviewees in this film and watched all of the documentaries currently available about food issues. I already shop at the farmer's markets and have an organic garden.

And so I'll end with this: This film does what any good documentary does by both answering and raising questions for later discussion. If you are new to the idea of organic foods, or just want to know more about the food you eat, In Organic We Trust is for you. If, like myself, you've already seen the films or read any of the books about this subject then you may want to skip this one, because it's the same information, just presented in a new package. Either way In Organic We Trust proves that anyone can make a difference, one meal at a time.

            In Organic We Trust was written and directed by Kiplin Pastor and features interviews with Marion Nestle, Bernadine Prince, Tim Lasalle, Barry Logan, Dr. Tom Tomich, Judith Redmond, Alberto Gonzalas, Jeshura Kemplar, Jennifer Sass, Gordon Jenkins and more. Its available now on Blu Ray, DVD and digital download.