Going Organic? Read This First.

I am in learning mode.  I am in a place where I want to absorb new information, embrace what I choose and respectfully discard the rest.  In the interim, I want to disseminate what I deem important. 

Yesterday I was reading about organic foods and trying to make sense of fact from fiction.  I was a bit surprised to learn that eating organic is NOT always better.  Here are a few things I learned:

• Locally grown does not always mean organic.  While it's possible the fruits & veggies at your neighborhood farm stand were grown using no icky pesticides, to be certified organic, the farmers must go through a lengthy and expensive certification process.  I will say though, locally grown is easier on the palette and the pocketbook.
• Don't bother paying more for organic in these departments: bananas, kiwi, mangoes, papaya, pineapple, asparagus, avocado, broccoli, cauliflower, corn, onion, sweet peas, and seafood.  None of these foods carry pesticide residue and there is no certification for organic seafood.
• Organic is better for the environment.  Surprisingly untrue.  Organic farming uses a lot more land to produce than conventional farming which means we'd need to cut down a lot more forests to accommodate should we go totally organic.  On the flip-side, it doesn't pollute the ground with nasty chemicals and pesticides and organic farms use less energy and produce less waste than conventional.
• It is yummier.  Apparently not.  Studies show that the tastiest foods are those that are locally grown since they spend little to no time traveling and are not sprayed and/or waxed to lengthen shelf life.
• It is cleaner.  Two words: WASH EVERYTHING.
• It is healthier. Not if the chips are fried and the cookies are sugary!  Howver, it was reported by The Organic Center, which promotes organic food, that organic food is on average 25% more nutritious than conventional food. 
• You're lending support to small businesses by buying organic.  Here's what I learned: General Mills owns the Cascadian Farms brand, Kraft owns Back to Nature and Boca Burger, and Kellogg's owns Morningstar Farms.  Need I say more?

While there are still items that I will continue to buy in the organic section (milk for the kids, baby food), I'm thrilled that my local farm is within walking distance from my house.  At 10 - 40% more than conventional food, I will now be smarter about what I choose to shell out for, and stick with the status quo where it makes sense. 

Comments

[Ashlee - Mama's Nest]

I'm always happy to read other people's thoughts on organic food, farming, etc and while I think you brought up some great points I'm curious where you sourced your information.

I think it's great to point out while local doesn't mean organic it's better to by local whenever possible. Organic food IS WAY better for the environment, no matter how you look at it. Do organic farms take up more land than factory farms? Maybe, but if so, only because the food is grown as nature intended.

As far as taste goes, of course the fresher the better, but after eating mostly organic food for years now, despite what studies can say- I can tell you that conventional fruit and veggies taste funky.

My last point and then I'll go away ;) Is your mention that your list of "safe" foods carry NO residue, this is simply not true. There are foods that are safer than others, some that absorb pesticides while other's don't so much, but if it's been sprayed with pesticides it has residue. This list might be helpful to you:
http://www.foodnews.org/walletguide.php

Don't mean to sound anal, but this is something I am very passionate about!

[Jill Notkin]

Ashlee,

I shouldn't have said "no" residue. I should have said they carry way less residue than other foods. As far as taste, I personally can't taste a difference and there is no scientific data to support a taste difference, so I stand by that claim personally.

I definitely believe in organic (especially when it comes to feeding my kids) but don't think every morsel of food we ingest needs to be organic.

Thanks for your comments!!