No, Alfie refrain, just the big Organic question. If there is a word that confuses most people when they shop for the so-called right foods, the healthiest products, it’s the word ORGANIC. Yes, there is a definition as supplied by the USDA, and there are multitudes of farmers out there willing to talk to you about the trials and tribulations of going organic. Did I mention the costs? Yes, for many farmers that last element is the deciding factor when it comes to the care, maintenance, and monitoring of their fields. To be certified Organic involves time and money.
The same conundrum applies to the consumer who stands in front of a product and wonders Organic or Conventional. The health value and the good-for-you feeling may win over the shopper but not everything we purchase needs to be an organic product. Here’s a good list of products we are better off purchasing as organics and those in the no-need column. Print it out and keep it handy as we move into the summer growing season when all the market attention gets focused on LOCAL, you’ll see the double winner signage: Local Organic.
So what is a consumer to do? Decide your family’s needs and budget and do the math. With young children in the household, purchasing organic dairy products are a wise, health-proven choice. You’ll even find that the dairy cases at markets that have an organic focus often have organic products that are less costly than the more limited organic supplies at regular markets: Significant savings.When meat is discussed, there are numerous grocers who carry products from non-antibiotic feeds for their poultry and meats. This strategy is a welcome middle-ground for many. As for produce, if you only purchase some of the organic selections, refer to the list of the most harmful products, those that retain the pesticides, and buy the organics most recommended.
Here’s your opportunity to do a good job for your family and our environment. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle means making numerous purchasing decisions that are beneficial for all of us.
