Buying organic foods
When trying to decide which groceries to buy, we are confronted with more choices than ever before.
Many people have favorite brands of this or that, and want that particular product. In that case, they have already decided WHAT to buy. The question usually becomes one of which store has it for the lowest price.
But what about organic foods? That's a new decision that faces shoppers for groceries. Price isn't the main factor, because you will often pay 50% more for organics, or even 100% extra if you are buying milk or meats. Still, organics are one of the fastest-growing food categories.
Critics argue that the extra expense is wasted because there is no proof that conventionally produced foods are a risk to our health.
However, what is clear is that we CAN reduce exposure to pesticides, antibiotics, hormones, and other contaminants by buying organic foods.
What if you NEED to watch your spending, but you really want to buy the most healthful food possible?
Consider that not all foods pose the same level of health risks. For example, organic apples, peaches, spinach, milk, and beef can significantly reduce your exposure to various chemicals. However, asparagus and broccoli are relatively safe in their conventional forms, and provide less benefit for cost in organic forms.
You can also save money by shopping wisely. First, shop around. Price differences can account for a 100% difference between stores. Remember that seasonal foods will be less expensive. Try local farmer's markets. Buy a share in a community-supported organic farm (go to www.sare.org for listings). Order by mail (try www.mynaturalbeef.com, www.freshdirect.com, www.pioneerorganics.com, www.eatwellguide.org, www.theorganicpages.com). Join a local co-op (contact health food stores in your area to see if any buying clubs are available.).
Also, another issue to remember is that, because more consumers are demanding organic alternatives and spending more money on them, the big producers are watching their profits fall and desiring a piece of the organic pie. Because of this they are putting pressure on federal labeling and standards so that more foods can be legally labeled as "organic" even though they may not be what you expect. (For example, an ammendment passed in 2003 said that if the cost of organic feed was more than twice the cost of regular feed, the livestock producers could feed their animals non-organic feed and still label their meat organic. This was repealed in 2003, but the battles still continue.)
Many people have favorite brands of this or that, and want that particular product. In that case, they have already decided WHAT to buy. The question usually becomes one of which store has it for the lowest price.
But what about organic foods? That's a new decision that faces shoppers for groceries. Price isn't the main factor, because you will often pay 50% more for organics, or even 100% extra if you are buying milk or meats. Still, organics are one of the fastest-growing food categories.
Critics argue that the extra expense is wasted because there is no proof that conventionally produced foods are a risk to our health.
However, what is clear is that we CAN reduce exposure to pesticides, antibiotics, hormones, and other contaminants by buying organic foods.
What if you NEED to watch your spending, but you really want to buy the most healthful food possible?
Consider that not all foods pose the same level of health risks. For example, organic apples, peaches, spinach, milk, and beef can significantly reduce your exposure to various chemicals. However, asparagus and broccoli are relatively safe in their conventional forms, and provide less benefit for cost in organic forms.
You can also save money by shopping wisely. First, shop around. Price differences can account for a 100% difference between stores. Remember that seasonal foods will be less expensive. Try local farmer's markets. Buy a share in a community-supported organic farm (go to www.sare.org for listings). Order by mail (try www.mynaturalbeef.com, www.freshdirect.com, www.pioneerorganics.com, www.eatwellguide.org, www.theorganicpages.com). Join a local co-op (contact health food stores in your area to see if any buying clubs are available.).
Also, another issue to remember is that, because more consumers are demanding organic alternatives and spending more money on them, the big producers are watching their profits fall and desiring a piece of the organic pie. Because of this they are putting pressure on federal labeling and standards so that more foods can be legally labeled as "organic" even though they may not be what you expect. (For example, an ammendment passed in 2003 said that if the cost of organic feed was more than twice the cost of regular feed, the livestock producers could feed their animals non-organic feed and still label their meat organic. This was repealed in 2003, but the battles still continue.)
