Many supermarkets and natural food stores around the country proudly
feature slightly higher priced products on their shelves bearing the label
"organic". Shoppers often speculate whether or not these products are
indeed better for the body and therefore worth the associated extra cost or
whether the organic label is just another marketing ploy.
According to Katherine DiMatteo, executive director of the Organic Trade
Association (OTA) based in Greenfield, Mass., organic foods are not only
healthier for the body, they are better for society and actually cheaper in the
long run.
What is Organic?
The term "organic" refers specifically to how something is grown or
produced. Organic farmers refrain from using chemical pesticides or
fertilizers, and their crops are minimally processed to maintain product
integrity without using artificial ingredients, preservatives or irradiation.
Organic meat and dairy products are derived from animals that are fed only
organic grain and are not given antibiotics, hormones or supplemental
medications. The official certification system involves an
extensive inspection process that includes detailed record keeping and periodic
testing of soil and water quality to ensure that growers are meeting standards
set by a governing body.
…Is Organic Really Better?
… "The shelf price of organic products may be a bit higher because farmers
must deal with the same costs of conventional food production such as
harvesting, transportation and storage but they also have to adhere to stricter
handling and production standards. In the end, if you add up the indirect costs
of conventional agribusiness, like cleaning up sludge, replenishing depleted
soils and the expense of health care for workers exposed to toxic pesticides,
organic foods are considerably cheaper."
While there is some disagreement over whether or not organic foods really taste
better (Consumer Reports recently conducted a taste-test between conventionally
grown carrots, apples and tomatoes and organic ones purchased directly from a
farmers' market; the panel failed to identify any significant differences in
flavor), there is little argument that organic farming is friendlier to both
livestock and the environment.
"Organic foods are certainly better for you, but organic farming has a lot
more to do with sustainable agriculture," says Karen Armstrong-Cummings,
managing director of the Commodity Growers Cooperative in Lexington, Ky. "Organic
systems don't use toxic pesticides or fertilizers. Rather, they are based on
the cultivation of biological diversity and replenishment of soil nutrients.
The damage agribusiness inflicts on the environment is abundant and compounds
itself every year. Organic techniques are viable over the long term."
Just When You Thought It Was Safe
Of course, when weighing the options between purchasing conventional and
organic foods, consumers generally assume that all the food they eat is safe,
regardless of price. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.
The Environmental Working Group (EWG), based in Washington, D.C., released a
study called Forbidden Fruit in which samples from the Food and Drug
Administration's (FDA) own records were analyzed. Not only were there major
discrepancies in the FDA's reported contamination figures, but nearly half of
the registered contaminates were illegal pesticides that have been banned due
to their carcinogenic/toxic properties.
According to the report, the 10 most contaminated non-organic foods (in order)
were: strawberries, red/green bell peppers, spinach, cherries, peaches,
cantaloupe, celery, apples, blackberries and green peas.
According to the EWG, "A person eating the USDA's recommended five
servings of fruits and vegetables per day will consume illegal pesticides at
least 75 times per year. By contrast, the average consumer must eat 100 pounds
of fresh fruits and vegetables in order to eat from a shipment tested for
pesticides by the FDA. Which means that the average American is 15 times more
likely to eat an illegal pesticide than to eat from a shipment tested by the
FDA."
… Shoppers who do not have access to organic foods, or can't afford the
slightly higher price, may wonder what alternatives they have. Though washing
and peeling are not enough to completely eliminate pesticide residue or
compensate for GE altered foods, there are measures that concerned shoppers can
take.
"If price is the issue, shoppers should spend the energy to look
around," says DiMatteo. "Natural food cooperatives often have very
competitive pricing on organic products, especially for members, and careful
shoppers can often find stores where organic prices are competitive with
non-organics. Families may also choose to buy organic products for the foods
they consume most, like milk or bread which, even though it's only one product,
contributes considerably to the organic economy or purchase organic foods that
are, according to EWG's Forbidden Fruit study, most likely to be contaminated
[e.g. spinach, strawberries, apples etc.]. If availability is the issue, speak
to the manager where you shop. Often, supermarkets will acquire organic foods
at the customer's request." . . .
Discussion Questions:
1. What concerns you about the food that you are able to buy?
2. Do you think organic foods are healthier than conventional foods? Why?
3. Are you concerned about the way food is grown or raised and it's effects on the environment? Why?
