I’m standing in the produce section of the grocery store, scrutinizing the assortment of apples, and I’m wondering, is it really worth it to spend the extra money on organic apples? On one side of me sit the waxy, shiny, conventionally grown Gala apples, and on the other side I see the dull, speckled, organically grown copies. Both are packed with vitamins, minerals and fiber, and both are free of fat and sodium. So what’s the difference?
Organic farming methods involve growing and producing agricultural products without the use of chemical fertilizers or other harmful agents. Rather than using chemical weed killers that could harm soil, water and nearby wildlife, organic farmers may spread mulch or manure. They also use special tools in order to weed.
Organic food is the fastest growing sector of the American food marketplace, available in more than 20,000 natural food stores and more than 73 percent of conventional grocery stores, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture report. Amid growing concerns for the environment, it is no wonder that more and more people are choosing the organic route.
I, however, do not make a special effort to buy organic foods at the grocery store. Obviously, I am mindful of the pesticides used to produce conventionally-grown foods and the harmful effects that they have on the environment, but I’m not about to bend over backward to buy something just because it’s organic. As popular as organic foods are these days, you may not be much worse off just sticking to the conventionally grown foods.
First of all, organic food is more expensive. For some people, paying the extra money may be a worthwhile sacrifice, but for me, it’s a hassle I’d rather not make a habit. The main reasons for the sky-high prices are expensive farming practices, tighter government regulations and lower crop yields. Organic food growers simply can’t produce the mass quantities of food at an affordable price like the conventional growers can. Organic farmers do not use pesticides, but the alternatives are very costly. They must purchase and maintain management tools in order to control weeds and pests. Because traditional weeding is a much more labor-intensive process than dousing the land with chemicals, it is more costly – a difference that is reflected in prices at the grocery store.
Secondly, organic farmers take more credit for being environmentally friendly than they deserve. It is true that organic farms do not consume or release synthetic pesticides into the environment and they also produce less waste per unit of yield; however, we also need to take into consideration the fact that the increased land needed to farm organic food could potentially harm the rainforests and wipe out even more ecosystems.
Another questionable aspect of organic foods is nutrition. Just because food is organic does not mean it’s any better for you. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, these products are neither safer nor more nutritious. If you’re eating organic foods purely for health reasons, then perhaps you should reconsider.
Some people believe that organic foods are of higher quality than conventional foods. However, according to the mayo clinic site, both meet the same quality and safety standards. Because they aren’t treated with waxes and preservatives, you may notice that organic fruits and vegetables spoil more quickly. This is an inconvenience for people like me who expect produce to keep for more than a week before my next shopping trip.
Also, a common concern that organic buyers tend to have is conventional growers’ use of pesticides to protect their crops from molds, insects, and diseases. It is widely known that the pesticides can leave residue on produce. However, according to Mayo Clinic, as long as you wash your fruits and vegetables before consuming them, you should be fine.
Finally, does organic food taste any different than conventionally grown food? The answer comes down to a matter of personal opinion. Some argue that organic food tastes better or fresher. Others claim there is no difference. I believe that taste has nothing to do with whether food is conventionally grown or organic. The freshest food is that which has been on the shelves for the shortest amount of time.
Organic food may be all the rage, but, like most things in life, it doesn’t come without a price. It may benefit the environment in some ways, but it has no pity on your pocketbook. There are so many other ways to improve the environment and buying organic food is just not justifiable enough. For me, an apple is an apple, right down to the core.
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