What is "Organic" ? and is it better for you.

What is "Organic" ?

According to the USDA: "Organic food is produced by farmers who emphasize the use of renewable resources and is produced without using most conventional pesticides, fertilizers mad with synthetic ingredients , sewage sludge, bioengineering: or ionizing radiation." Organic meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones.


Why are Organic foods more expensive?

The government subsidizes large-scale farming companies, which leaves out nearly all organic farmers. So basically, your tax dollars have already paid for a portion of the conventionally grown food you buy.

Chemical pesticides and fertilizers are less expensive and less time consuming than organic methods. Organic feed can cost twice as much as conventional feed.

Modern methods produce higher yields with less land. As a result, organic farming brings a smaller yield at a higher cost. That cost gets passed on to the grocery stores, since bulk discounts are difficult for organic farmers.


Is Organic food better for you?

Currently, there are NO studies which say unequivocally that organic food is more nutritious. Although researchers at U.California,Davis, report that organic tomatoes have higher levels of phytochemicals and vitamin C than conventional tomatoes do.

Organic fertilizers and pesticides are not necessarily safer than their counterparts. Some types contain high levels of pathogenic bacteria, salmonella and E. coli. Organic farmers are allowed to use copper solutions that leave copper residue in the soil.

Some organic farmers use non organic manure!

The USDA has been pressured to allow non organic ingredients in certified organic foods including 19 food colorings, two starches, casings for sausage and hot dogs, gelatin and fish oil!

Basically the whole organic industry is a work in progress. The best method seems to be to buy local and know your farmer. That way you can ask them how they make the food you eat.