Why Buy Organic?

Healthy body…Healthy Earth

Why buy organic? The popularity of organic products has increased greatly over the past decade, due mainly to the many benefits families can gain from using only organic products.

According to a study by The Natural Marketing Institute (NMI), 39% of the U.S. population consumes organic products. In an effort to gain healthy lifestyles, consumers are spending billions of dollars each year on organic products, ranging from milk, meats, eggs, vegetables, organic body products and even organic pet foods.

An organic product is processed in an ecological partnership with nature, and is not created with toxins like pesticides, fertilizers, or any other synthetic materials. They are only minimally processed, and contain no artificial ingredients or preservatives.

When you buy organic, you:

• Protect the health of your family
One of the main reasons our family switched to organic products is the health benefit. Endless amounts of research shows that pesticides and other chemicals are more prevalent in the foods we eat, in our bodies, and in the environment than we thought. Studies show that by eating organic foods, you can reduce your exposure to the potential health risks associated with those chemicals.



The following really jumped out at my wife: A recent study from the University of Washington in Seattle, found that preschoolers who ate conventional diets had six times the level of certain pesticides in their urine as those who ate organic foods. When we say conventional, think of the occasional Spaghetti-O's or a once a week Lunchable or even that special treat Pop-Tart.

A study published in The American Journal of Public Health in February 1995, researchers suggested that "use of home pesticides may be associated with some types of childhood cancer."

• Experience pure flavor
Another reason many buy organic food products is because of the great taste, which is due to the healthy conditions the foods are raised in. Well balanced soils and growing conditions lead to strong and healthy plants, which produce organic food products that are full of natural flavor. Since they don’t contain any pesticides or fungicides, they are sent to the grocer as close to harvest as possible, and are ready to be sold at only a ripe state. Our boys say the organic strawberries we buy now "taste better".
• Support small farmers
Most organic farms are small farms with less than 100 acres, and are usually run by families who have been in the farming business for a long time. Purchasing organic foods supports small farms rather than huge industries, which is another popular reason many choose to buy organic items. Even though organic products are slightly more expensive than non-organic food items, the money goes to small farms rather than industrial corporations that manufacture chemicals and pesticides. Find local farmers who practice organic farming or start an organic food co-op with friends.



• Protect our water supply
Not only do organic farms consider the health of their customers, but the environment as well. Organic farms help to protect our water supply, by not using any chemicals or pesticides in their farms. Hundreds of gallons of water are contaminated each year from deadly chemicals, which limits the amount of clean drinking water we have. Since organic farms do not use any chemicals, they have never contributed to any water pollution that has ever occurred.
• Preserve soil resources
Sadly, the alarming fact is that our foods are being farmed on millions of acres of land that no longer contains enough of certain minerals which in return, we the consumers are being starved of the minerals we require for perfect health. Organic farmers also help to preserve soil resources, and help to build healthy soil to grow their crops. Because we are currently experiencing a serious period of topsoil erosion, it is important to maintain soil health to ensure crop growth. The use of harsh chemicals and pesticides in typical farms is decreasing the healthy soil supply, yet organic farmers are actually trying to reverse the problem by keeping the soil healthy.

• Support our economy
We know first hand that organic foods are costly. But the positives out weigh the negatives here. With conventionally made food, we pay less at the grocery store, but we pay more in health and pollution costs - $8 billion a year, according to Cornell University researchers.
• Support our environment
Not only are organic foods healthier than non-organic items, but when you buy organic, you promote the overall health of earth as well.

The variety of organic products is growing every day, and there is almost an organic alternative for every food on the market. There are even stores that sell only organic products, ranging from fruits, vegetables, chips, cookies, eggs, and even bread. Organic products are all-natural products that don’t contain anything manufactured, and can help to maintain good health by keeping chemicals out of our bodies.

Tips on Buying Organic

1. Start out small. Buy one or two staple items such as milk, eggs, fruit and vegetables and gradually add other items when your pocketbook is ready. We were ready to throw everything out of our pantry. However, that wasn't practical. So we finished what we had and gradually replenished.

2. Keep in mind that going organic is more than just about food. Organic living is also an environmental and health issue. To buy organic is like buying an investment. The price you pay now will show return results like less time from work being spent at a doctors office which may result in costly prescriptions or hospital visits. Our children have not had one cold this year...and this has been a big flu season. Hmm

3. Buy organic food in season. You will find that eating seasonal fruit and vegetables are found in more abundance, which means it'll be cheaper. For example, winter foods include root vegetables like potatoes, carrots, dark green vegetables like collard. Spring foods include vegetables like purple sprouting broccoli, watercress and asparagus.

4. Buy organic food at your local farmer's markets. By buying locally, you support your local economy and support the farmers who have invested in organic growing processes. For listings of local farmer’s markets, go to USDA

5. Natural and organic food are not the same. Organic food is regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture which has strict standards to certify that the food is genuinely organic. Natural foods do not require any certification or government approval.
   Remember to look for the green USDA organic seal-not just the word "natural". We were naive on that when we first began!

Now, discover the many organic food advantages for the wellbeing of your family.

Where can I find more information about organic living?

Local Harvest - You can find a directory of small farms and farmers' markets anywhere in the country.

USDA - The Web site of the agricultural marketing service division of the USDA.

Organic Research - A website for the distribution of information about organic regulation worldwide sponsored by CABI Publishing (a non-profit publisher).

Organic Consumers Association - The only organization in the US focused exclusively on promoting the views and interests of the nation's estimated 50 million organic and socially responsible consumers.

To Buy or Not to Buy Organic: What You Need to Know to Choose the Healthiest, Safest, Most Earth-Friendly Food An easy to read and informative book about organic foods. It includes a helpful shopping guide (handy at the market) on exactly what to look for when buying organic fruits and vegetables. It also enlightens the reader on the erosion of the "Organic" standards caused by government lobbying by powerful supermarket/food corporations.

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