Though sometimes more expensive, eating organic can help you discover tastier and more varied foods, avoid nasty additives ,and support small, sustainable farmers. Tightly regulated by the USDA, organic foods will not contain any pesticides or antibiotics that are commonly found conventional foods today and can be especially harmful to children and infants.
Organic certification has three levels: 100% Organic, Organic (over 95% organic) and Made with Organic Ingredients, which must consist of over 70% organic ingredients. According to the USDA, organic food production is “based…on practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony.” While this is true in theory, the certification requirements do not guarantee, for instance, that organically fed cattle aren’t housed in feedlots. They do, however, ensure that cattle are raised without hormones that can cause serious harm to humans and animals.
Organic foods are often, but not always, produced locally—look for a farmers’ market or check the web for local dairy and meat farms. Stores like Whole Foods provide tons of great organic choices; by sticking to fresh produce and avoiding prepared and packaged foods, you can minimize a lot of the cost associated with eating organic.
Eating organic can be difficult, especially when prices are high and mass-produced alternatives taste almost as good. But if you want to be sure that your food is harmless and sustainable, organic is the way to go.
