Why Buy Organic?

10 Reasons Why Shopping Organic Really is Better

Sep 26, 2008 Leigh Hopkins

Are organic products really that much better than conventional food? These ten reasons for buying organic just may change your mind.

Educated consumers throughout the world are working together, one zucchini at a time, to raise interest in the organic food industry. From local produce markets to large grocery chains, stores are beginning to offer a wider range of organic products. No longer are organics limited to fruits and vegetables—consumers can now buy organic dairy products, shampoo, cosmetics, clothing, and even dog food.

But why all the expense? And does buying organic really make a difference, or is it just for hippies and vegetarians? Next time you shop, consider this list:

1. Organic products are better for you. When something is “certified organic,” it means that no insecticides, herbicides, fumigants, fungicides, or miticides (see Number 8) have been used to treat the plants. Many of the chemicals used to kill insects, weeds and fungus have been found to be carcinogens (cancer-causing). The next time you buy a commercial tomato or apply your favorite lipstick, ask yourself: is it worth the risk?
2. Organic produce is held to a higher standard. Organic foods are more closely regulated by federal and local governments. For example, in the state California, produce must be registered with the State Department of Food and Agriculture and certified by a third-party, non-governmental organization. A three-year land transition period to ensure that the soil is chemical-free is required before any crop harvested from that land can be certified organic.
3. Buying organic is better for communities. The US Department of Agriculture estimates that 50% of all farm products come from only 1% of the farms. It's also estimated that the United States has lost more than 650,000 family farms in the past decade. Buying local, organic products keeps local farmers in business and small communities alive.
4. Organic farming protects farmers. Did you know that farmers are six times more at risk for cancer than in any other job?
5. Buying organic protects water quality. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that agriculture is responsible for 70% of the pollution to the country's rivers and streams caused by chemicals and animal waste runoff. In fact, the EPA estimates that pesticides—some of them carcinogens—contaminate the groundwater in 38 states. This means that pesticides are polluting the primary source of drinking water for more than half the United States’ population.
6. Organic farming is better for the soil. Organic farmers rotate crops to ensure that soil doesn’t leech or erode. Land that is used by commercial farmers generally experiences a significant greater rate of erosion than that of organic farmers, who use terrace-building and other conservation practices to protect the soil.
7. Organic farming uses less energy. Traditional farming uses more fuel than any other industry—a whopping 12 percent of the country's total energy supply. Many organic farmers weed and till by hand and sell products locally, using less gasoline to harvest and transport crops.
8. Organic farming processes are easier to spell. Try c-o-m-p-o-s-t. Easy, right? Now try d-i-f-e-n-o-c-o-n-i-z-o-l-e. Huh?!
9. Organic food doesn’t have hidden costs. Although you may complain that organic food is more expensive, in reality, it’s really not. Conventional food covers all kinds of hidden costs that are paid by taxpayers, like pesticide regulation and testing, hazardous waste disposal and clean-up, and environmental damage. Buy organic and lower your taxes!
10. Organic food tastes better. More nutrients means better flavor. Happy tummy, happy family. Happy family, happy planet.

The copyright of the article Why Buy Organic? in Nutrition is owned by Leigh Hopkins. Permission to republish Why Buy Organic? in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Organic Farming Doesn't Use Pesticides

Organic Cotton is Used in Sheets

Organic Food Has Better Flavor