The Organic Food Myth

Organic foods promise consumers a more sustainable planet and a healthier lifestyle.

[Xenon]

We SHOULD eat food that is grown closer to home. But to make the argument just about organic foods is moot, especially when more than 50% of the nation's foods come from California. I work on an organic farm in New York State. We run CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) programs that not only stress the value of eating organics, but also of buying locally. Reducing your your carbon footprint is important. Buying local produce IS the way to go. Growing organically also reduces the footprint. Non-utilization of petro-chemicals certainly helps to accomplish this, not to mention the improvement in air and water quality.

The fact that there is a "dirty dozen" list is significant and tells us that organics are better for your health.

[Janet]

I'm not a stickler about buying only organic food. What's more important to me is that my food be locally produced. I don't like the idea of eating things that have been on ships/planes/trucks for weeks before they reach my table.

[Ella]

I think neither local nor organic can be considered the correct answer - that makes things too easy. People have to decide, product by product, whether they trust the producer of the item and whether they want it to be organic. For example, I'd eat organic yogurt flown in from another location because it tastes better, but I'd prefer to eat local apples, even if they're not organic, because I know and trust the grower. I also trust my yogurt brand, for some reason...

[greenbean17]

I know that there are certain fruits and vegetables that tend to retain a significant more of the pesticides, for example strawberries and therefore would be the best to buy organic. There are a ton of benefits of local such as for sustainability and fresher products. I never really understood the widespread impact of buying local until I saw Food Inc the movie. It was really eye-opening. For those of you who weren't able to see it in theaters, you should check out the DVD if you are still debating about buying organic/local.

[meital james]

greenbean17 wrote:

I know that there are certain fruits and vegetables that tend to retain a significant more of the pesticides, for example strawberries and therefore would be the best to buy organic. There are a ton of benefits of local such as for sustainability and fresher products. I never really understood the widespread impact of buying local until I saw Food Inc the movie. It was really eye-opening. For those of you who weren't able to see it in theaters, you should check out the DVD if you are still debating about buying organic/local.

Just wanted to add to the strawberries the cherries, grapes retain a lot of pesticides also, actually these are sadly my favorite fruits...
http://www.organic-care.info