What does organic even mean? Organic refers to any material that is carbon-based. Organically raised food follows a set of practices that differ in a number of ways from industrialized agriculture. Only farms that follow the standards and go through the certification process of their country or state can label their food organic. The process is expensive, and many small farms choose to forgo certification even though their own practices meet or exceed those required. FDA
What are these standards?
Organic standards vary, but generally include:
Prohibition of synthetic chemicals, irradiation, sewage sludge, or genetically modified organisms
Farmland that has been free of the above for a time (in the U.S. it's three years)
Detailed records of practices used
Periodic on-site inspections
USDA-certification for organic meat forbids use of growth hormones, antibiotics, genetically modified feed, or animal by-products in raising the livestock
Organic eggs are required to come from chickens that are both cage-free and free-range
As you can see the organic option is about 1.5 times more than its non-organic counter part. Is this price differential worth it? Is it worth to pay the extra dollars? Is it worth it?
According to this graph by The Organic Center, organic fruits and vegetables are more nutritious than non-organic items of the same kind. Although this charts says organic food is healthier, there is still some speculation as to whether or not that is actually true. So to answer the question, are organic foods worth it? It all depends on what your budget looks like. If your budget is limited but you still like the idea of organics choose the organic foods that have the most nutritional impact. If you don't really care, then stay away from the organic foods and just buy the cheaper, non-organic option. When it comes down to it, it really is all the consumer's personal opinion.
Organic refers to any material that is carbon-based. Organically raised food follows a set of practices that differ in a number of ways from industrialized agriculture. Only farms that follow the standards and go through the certification process of their country or state can label their food organic. The process is expensive, and many small farms choose to forgo certification even though their own practices meet or exceed those required.
FDA
What are these standards?
Organic standards vary, but generally include:
- Prohibition of synthetic chemicals, irradiation, sewage sludge, or genetically modified organisms
- Farmland that has been free of the above for a time (in the U.S. it's three years)
- Detailed records of practices used
- Periodic on-site inspections
- USDA-certification for organic meat forbids use of growth hormones, antibiotics, genetically modified feed, or animal by-products in raising the livestock
- Organic eggs are required to come from chickens that are both cage-free and free-range
EPAPrice Differences
Organic foods can cost more than non-organic, sometimes 40 to 50 percent more. Below are some of the prices for 1 piece of produce.
As you can see the organic option is about 1.5 times more than its non-organic counter part. Is this price differential worth it? Is it worth to pay the extra dollars?
Is it worth it?
According to this graph by The Organic Center, organic fruits and vegetables are more nutritious than non-organic items of the same kind. Although this charts says organic food is healthier, there is still some speculation as to whether or not that is actually true. So to answer the question, are organic foods worth it? It all depends on what your budget looks like. If your budget is limited but you still like the idea of organics choose the organic foods that have the most nutritional impact. If you don't really care, then stay away from the organic foods and just buy the cheaper, non-organic option. When it comes down to it, it really is all the consumer's personal opinion.
-Danny Sloan