Organic food at WDW

[disneyguy1818]

It frustrates me that Disney claims to be a company that strives to be environmentally friendly, yet they offer practically no organic food options. It'd be nice if they could offer at least a couple places where guests could eat pesticide and GMO free food and order a humanely raised meat entree. Does anyone know whether the fish at any of the restaurants is wild caught and not farmed?My DFi and I only eat organic foods and humanely raised meat (rarely)- mainly because we have family who worked in the industrialized agricultural industries and who died from cancers attributed to their exposure to pesticides and we have a general concern for basic animal welfare. As for meat, we are okay with eating meat as long as the animal lived free range and cruelty free before slaughter, though we rarely eat it. We arent pompous organic crusaders who eat organic bc of trend- and we dont judge others just simply wish Disney offered organics as an option for those who want it. Anyone else in a similar situation feel the same way or have any advice?

 

[Pumbaa_]

if anything is 'wild' or free range it will indicate it on the menu and is often specials

good luck with your preference

 

[minniebeth]

Not sure if the food fits into the criteria you would like it to be, but The Wave at the Contemporary serves food that is more natural and organic in nature. Some of the produce served at Garden Grill in Epcot is grown on site at the Land Pavillion.

 

[Winka]

And of course, California Grill at the Contemporary.

Flying Fish might also offer some sustainable fish/seafood.

I think I recall Jiko-this was some years back-also offering free-range and sustainable foods.

I agree with the above poster-I can't recall specifics but I do remember that the restaurants will indicate when they are using organic, local, sustainable, free-range, GMO-free etc. foods. Probably more the higher-end restaurants...

Are you in a villa? You might prefer to do some of your meals on your own.

 

[hannahdrewmom]

overall I think the Wave has the "most" organic menu... there are a few different options but none are "organic" restaurants

 

[disneyguy1818]

Thanks everyone for the info. I'd never looked into The Wave but will definitely check it out. The villa option makes sense- just hard to force myself to cook multiple times per day after spending all day at parks. Guess I'll just stick to vegetarian except at certain signatures.

 

[Sappermont]

Great thread/post, OP. I'm a locavore who is all about humanely raised animals and organic/local foods. It was hard to suspend that at WDW, but now that I'm back it has reinvigorated me to become more involved with the whole/slow food movements.

 

[4orm]

I have been told at the Cali Grill that much of their produce is organic however it's not a good marketing point for many of the restaurant patrons so they don't advertise it. Many people still don't understand what organic means.

We always hit Whole Food right from the airport to fill the mini fridge in the room up with.

There are a few good options as others have listed - check out the menus for the Cali Grill, Wave, Garden Grill (they use some produce from the Land pavilion and even offer organic beer), and other signatures. They might not all be organic, but in a theme park I'll settle for hormone-free and free range if that's all I can get. We don't eat at many places in WDW. I just can't bring myself to even this the menu looks good, I know what factory farming is and can't look the other way no matter how tasty.

Do ask the chefs at restaurants or call ahead via the specialty diet line - I know they even have organic gluten-free waffle mix at Chef Mickey's and whatnot. You'll never know what you'll find.

 

[ellone]

Thanks everyone for the info. I'd never looked into The Wave but will definitely check it out. The villa option makes sense- just hard to force myself to cook multiple times per day after spending all day at parks. Guess I'll just stick to vegetarian except at certain signatures.

If you get a villa, you can get Wegoshop to get you a bunch of prepared foods from Whole Foods so you don't have to do much cooking - just warming it up.

 

[NHTikiBeckie]

I wish they had more options like this, too...sounds like we have very similar views on food!

 

[cjb-nc]

If anyone is looking to find WF on their way to the parks...

http://wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/store-locations/?storeabbr=BHL

Just a few miles NE of WDW on I-4, or take the north turnpike out of the airport and drive pretty close by. Note that its pretty close to the Universal resorts, and might be more crowded when those parks let out for the evening.

 

[si-am]

Definitely try The Wave!

 

[bumbershoot]

While I agree at heart, I disagree with a couple of your thoughts.

and GMO free food and order a humanely raised meat entree. Does anyone know whether the fish at any of the restaurants is wild caught and not farmed

Isn't farmed fish at GREAT risk for being messed with? aka genetically modified? Although the pollution risk in fish is high (DH had to do a macrobiotic diet for severe health issues, but couldn't eat fish because of the toxins present in almost all fish), once they get those little fish into their pens, they end up doing anything to keep them alive, and that generally will mean some alterations, if "only" in the form of antibiotics, and possibly more.

And...just ride Living with the Land, and see how they are messing with food. Made me nervous looking in that chemistry lab!

...(they use some produce from the Land pavilion and even offer organic beer)....

As far as I know the organic beer (also at Raglan Road) is from the local, certified organic, brewery, Orlando Brewing.

 

[Sappermont]

While I agree at heart, I disagree with a couple of your thoughts.



Isn't farmed fish at GREAT risk for being messed with? aka genetically modified? Although the pollution risk in fish is high (DH had to do a macrobiotic diet for severe health issues, but couldn't eat fish because of the toxins present in almost all fish), once they get those little fish into their pens, they end up doing anything to keep them alive, and that generally will mean some alterations, if "only" in the form of antibiotics, and possibly more.

I think that the OP was asking for wild caught, not farm raised.

 

[ABtwinmommy]

I completely agree. I don't have much advice. I have researched the Garden Grocer and found that they carry some basic organic products, so I plan to place an order with them for breakfast/snack foods and milk for my kids. As for everything else I have just told myself that I will have to do the best I can when making meal selections but we are going to have to veer from our usual diet. I don't like the thought of not having much organic food, especially for my kids, but it is only for a relatively short time so its going to have to be ok because I can't let it prevent us from travelling or let it control my life...this is what I have to remind myself. I also have been very freaked out by everyday chemical exposure, i.e. pesticides on food, causing cancer. Gosh why can't everything just be organic...why don't more people get it...ok I'm done now. Good luck to you, and I appreciate your thread

 

[Gingerg11]

The little cartons of milk at the food courts state on them they are hormone free, but I can't recall if it was antibiotic free also.

Jennie

 

[NHTikiBeckie]

She wants wild caught, not farmed...

 

[princessSunshine]

It frustrates me that Disney claims to be a company that strives to be environmentally friendly, yet they offer practically no organic food options. It'd be nice if they could offer at least a couple places where guests could eat pesticide and GMO free food and order a humanely raised meat entree. Does anyone know whether the fish at any of the restaurants is wild caught and not farmed?My DFi and I only eat organic foods and humanely raised meat (rarely)- mainly because we have family who worked in the industrialized agricultural industries and who died from cancers attributed to their exposure to pesticides and we have a general concern for basic animal welfare. As for meat, we are okay with eating meat as long as the animal lived free range and cruelty free before slaughter, though we rarely eat it. We arent pompous organic crusaders who eat organic bc of trend- and we dont judge others just simply wish Disney offered organics as an option for those who want it. Anyone else in a similar situation feel the same way or have any advice?

I love this question - there should be more like it, that way Disney might seriously consider growing there own beef, pork, etc. I am lucky - my brother raises all our beef and pork, no chemical what so ever, the taste and quality of meat is outstanding (not to mention his animals are babied and well loved, very humane). So I for one can taste the difference between mass produced/quick grown meat. Slow food is the way to go!

 

[mjwheelerali]

I am very concerned about the lack of organic fruits and veggies, too! I have made a lot of ADRs...hoping that we will be able to find healthier choices on TS menus versus than CS. I've checked out Garden Grocer to get some fruits and veggies for the resort, but they only had bananas which are temporarily available. Since we are flying in and relying on WDW transportation, we can't stop by WF...any other ideas?? Thanks in advance!

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

I'm pretty sure the salmon at Artist Point is wild and not farmed. Besides that, I really don't have an answer. I think signatures are the best bet overall, as they generally make more of an effort to find local ingredients.