You may have read The Tipping Point, written by Malcolm Gladwell in 2002. In this book, the author explains to us how little things can make a big difference. Epidemic, virus, contagious behavior all contribute to the failure or success of an idea. Accordingly, it is with healthy eating.

The word contagious conjures up all sorts of notions of measles, chicken-pox, HIV, influenza, and colds. But this word does not have to have only negative connotations. It can have positive ramifications as well.

Gladwell says there are three characteristics necessary to create a tipping point: contagiousness, the fact that little causes can have big effects, and that change happens not gradually but at one dramatic moment. Kind of like the way a flu epidemic spreads. Would that we could create the same effect with organic, non-GMO, healthy eating.

Locating these healthy foods is not as severe as in the past. Locally, in Perquimans County, North Carolina we can shop at Food Lion, Walmart, and Farm Fresh grocery stores. More recently, these chains have added organic, non-GMO foods. However, there is still a way to go. The store managers appear willing to add more of these items to their shelves but their warehouses, not so eager. It is all about which items move the fastest and brings in the most dollars.

A true God-send to us locally is a thriving Farmers Market where many vendors market their certified organic foods. Here you may purchase root vegetables (onions, sweet and white potatoes, turnips, carrots, beets, etc.), a variety of fruits, leafy greens, and other organic items. You can also purchase free-range eggs, and many types of meat that is grain fed, pasture raised and absent of pesticides, poisons, hormones, antibiotics and other chemicals.

Gladwell also talks about a “stickiness factor.” He uses Wendy’s, “Where’s the Beef” slogan and R.J. Reynold’s Winston Cigarette slogan, “Winston tastes good like a cigarette should.” Can we come up with a sticky note, a catchy slogan to promote organic, non-GMO’s? Something that will stick? Something that will make one think healthy eating each and every time we hear it? After all, stickiness is critical to tipping!

Together, we can create a “tipping point” for healthy eating. Let’s start an epidemic! We can move en masse. However, it must be a concentrated, thought-provoked effort. Please, consider joining the movement to create a healthy America for our children, the older generation, and ourselves. We owe it to the future of our environment and the future good health of generations to come.