As we gather around our colorful tables this holiday season, laden with nutritious, life-sustaining foods, let us all take a collective deep breath and give thanks for our conventional/organic, genetically engineered/traditionally bred, full-fat/no-fat, whole grain/gluten-free, dairy/soy, local/international foods.

We are blessed to have so many choices to meet various nutritional demands.

HONEST DIALOGUE: As you enjoy Thanksgiving's bounty and each other's company, share the facts if you're asked to comment about food production statements that you believe to be unfair or in error. Take a breath (if needed), and ask the questioners to tell you exactly what concerns them. (Photo: Ryan McVay/Photodisc/Thinkstock)

My extended family is like millions of others in the U.S. We have relatives that follow gluten- and lactose-free diets for health reasons (perceived and actual). Depending on which family we are celebrating the holiday with, knowledge of food production is derived from either hands-on experience or media reports and marketing.

When I am with the latter side of family, I am the only person at the table who grew up on a farm, and who understands the journey of milk from cow to dairy plant to grocer to melting butter on my warm dinner roll. I want to enjoy our abundant meal and opportunity to visit with family, yet it becomes difficult for me to do so when someone — during food prep or at the dinner table — makes an erroneous comment about genetically engineered foods, antibiotic and hormone use in food animals, large corporate farms, etc. Sometimes, I simmer in silence; sometimes, I speak up. I am sure you have had your share of questions, being the farmer at the holiday table.

Start the dialogue
At a recent meeting, I gathered a few tips from a woman who works for an ag conglomerate in the area of consumer engagement. I appreciated her insight on listening with empathy and asking questions in an attempt to discern a questioning person’s concern.

If you are asked to comment, or choose to respond to food production statements that you believe to be unfair or in error, take a breath (if needed) and ask the person to tell you more — what she read or heard, what she is concerned about, etc. Empathize and say if you believed that, you would be concerned or worried, too. Then share why you do not believe it and tell what you know to be true, based on your experience.

If you want to share facts, some quick and easy ones are:

• There are only nine genetically engineered crops commercially available in the U.S: Alfalfa, canola, corn (field and sweet), cotton, papaya, potatoes, soybeans, squash and sugarbeets. GMO apples are approved and coming to market soon. Some of these crops, like papaya, are typically consumed whole, while others, such as sugarbeets, soybeans and field corn, are processed into ingredients found in common food products.
• No hormones are used in the production of U.S. poultry. Period. The FDA prohibits it.
• Meat and milk are “antibiotic-free” in the sense that no antibiotic residues are present in them due to the withdrawal periods required by the government.
• Organic” and “natural” foods are two different things. Organic foods are produced, manufactured and handled as defined by USDA. Natural foods from plants and animals are not altered chemically or synthesized in any form.
• Explain pesticide use as basically as possible. For example, that you use ounces of chemical mixed in gallons of water to cover a field the size of a football field. And that all pesticide products and use are regulated, tested or overseen by federal and state governments.

Be honest as you tell how you and your family work hard to produce food.

If you feel your blood pressure creeping up, reach for another glass of milk. Science says that's good for keeping your blood pressure down.