Buying organic

[tggrbuny]

My two cents worth.

I think there are many great suggestions in this post. I was introduced to realities of the food production a few years ago and I made major changes. I buy local when it is in season and I ask lots of questions about methods of growing. I try to get organic when I purchase at supermarkets. I joined a csa. I have switched to more whole grains. The biggest and most expensive change I made was switching to grassfed meat. I have also stopped buying "foodstuff" This what Michael Pollan calls the processed foods in the grocery store. I used to walk thru supermarkets amazed at the variety of food offered...now all I see is the foodstuff, almost no food.

So the advise I would offer is education. Watch the movies about food production today...so disgusting. Talk to the farmers as local markets, read Michael Pollan's books. Not all food needs to be organic, but I think it often tastes better. Food used to be something grown by people, now our food is part of a corporate machine. The more you know about the contents, the more you will be able to provided your family quality food.

Many politicans have bragged that we (as Americans) spend less of our disposable income of food than other countries. Of course this gave us more money to spend on lots of stuff. I no longer appreciate this consumer driven economy. Good food costs more then junk food, but I have slowly come to appreciate that I would rather have the good food.

 

[mrspaha]

Interesting thread. To be honest, I have not considered going organic, as I felt it would just be way too costly. I get depressed enough when I think about how much regular produce prices have increased in the last year or so; to increase our food spending on organic just seems like too much.

I do have a question though -- I often buy frozen berries, especially now in the winter; and I always buy frozen vegetables. Does the processing they do to clean and flash freeze these items get rid of pesticide residue?

 

[TosaTrio]

I do not buy everything organic, it's just not in the budget. The items I do buy are dairy, strawberries and Lettus. Of the dairy if is not organic it has to be hormone free or I will not buy it.
Our rule is everything in moderation...

 

[cornflake]

Interesting thread. To be honest, I have not considered going organic, as I felt it would just be way too costly. I get depressed enough when I think about how much regular produce prices have increased in the last year or so; to increase our food spending on organic just seems like too much.

I do have a question though -- I often buy frozen berries, especially now in the winter; and I always buy frozen vegetables. Does the processing they do to clean and flash freeze these items get rid of pesticide residue?

Probably not really - also remember, stuff isn't sprayed once at the end, it's sprayed all along its life cycle and grown in soil that is sprayed with the same chemicals.

There are frozen organically grown berries, if you want those, and organic stuff is sprayed too, just with specific stuff. But there are a number of studies, as above in the thread, which seem to indicate that organic stuff is more nutrient heavy and lighter on a number of chemicals.

 

[mountdew1]

Great way to keep costs down are to join a CSA (sign ups are usually in January, so now is the time to find one). You can search this site for one near you http://www.localharvest.org/csa/ Also, another idea that someone mentioned is to buy beef in bulk. We split 1/4 of a cow every year with another family and that is plenty for us.

Definitely agree with this. Check out localharvest to see what farmers markets are nearby, what CSA are around, and patronize them. If you are lucky enough to live in a location that can sustain a long growing season, you can greatly benefit from the availability of local produce.

As much as I admire organic, I rank produce this way. Produce < Local Produce < Organic Produce << Local Organic Produce Any produce, fresh or frozen, is vastly better than almost any processed foods you will buy in the store. Local produce is better as it helps to keep money in your community, as well as cut down on the distance the produce traveled, and help you eat in season. Organic is usually better than just local, as it tends to be healthier for both you, the farmer, and the environment. And obviously local organic is the best of all worlds.

Is eating organic better than not? Yup. The produce itself may not be any better for you, but you are reducing the amount of toxins that are entering your body. But you can do alot better than eating just what the store has by getting to know your local producers. There are plenty that aren't certified organic, due to several reasons including cost, but still produce food that is following ethical and environmentally sound growing practices. Definitely read Omnivores Dilemma as a good primer on how food is grown/raised in the US.

As far as saving money, my DW swears by the "Dirty Dozen". You can see that list here -> http://www.ewg.org/foodnews/summary/ That shows which produce has been found to have the highest and lowest levels of pesticides. So you can help to save money by not buying foods that aren't as heavy in pesticides. Join a CSA, and buy an abundance of veggies in season. You can then freeze/can/whatever them to use when they aren't in season, saving money over buying something shipped halfway around the world. My DW filled half our second freezer with veggies from our CSA and the farmstand next door that we will be eating til April. Check all the stores around you and know which has better prices. Trader Joes usually has a good selection, and most warehouse clubs will carry some as well. Don't be afraid to buy frozen organics. They tend to be cheaper, and still have the same nutrient value. And if its not in season, don't buy it. Learn to love winter veggies, and save a bunch over buying the ones shipped in.

 

[tink_n_pooh]

We have switched to organic milk and half and half. DH is the only one that drinks it (other than my occasional cup of decaf now), it lasts a lot longer and he says that it tastes much better.

 

[crisi]

I don't think its been mentioned, but co-op grocers are another good source of organic, local, and/or small farm/fair trade produce and meats. The organic certification is expensive and there are a lot of small farmers who don't get an "organic" label, but their food is either organic, close to organic, or sustainable. In other words, before you jump in with both feet into organic and the expense of organic, decide why you are doing it and do your research.

On lasting longer - the vast majority of organics I buy (dairy, meat and produce) go bad MUCH faster. Buy in small quantities because there is nothing like $4/lb apples rotting on you to make you think it isn't worth it. On taste, my son doesn't like organic/grass fed milk - much preferring "the school's milk" to what we have at home. Taste is a subjective thing.

 

[North of Mouse]

Nettle, I too was raised on a farm that we not only shipped to market, but that was basically what we ate all the time. It was a way of life, range chickens, eggs, grass fed beef, raw milk. Haven't lived that way in along time - much too expensive now, plus I cannot tell the difference in taste (except tomatoes - love to raise and eat those). Would not drink raw milk anymore - much too dangerous now IMO, plus I no longer like the taste of it. Was visiting my two bros. and sister in another state that live on farms and drink raw milk, plus have a faithful following that beg for any milk they can have - BUT, it is illegal in most states to sell it - you have to say you are buying it for a pet Anyway, unless you never eat out, you may as well save your money and wash your fruit and veggies well and enjoy life. Also, a little known fact from talking to some farmers, range chickens/eggs can be labeled such even if their doors to their pen are open as little as an hour a day - very few wonder out, but they are ALL free to Also, some of the things are raised organic, but not all have to be - many loop holes - that's the way of most things, it seems. There are 7 of us children over 58, and my mom & dad always taught us all things in moderation. I know families that are particular about most things they eat, have clean homes, take care of themselves as well as any, but yet are as sickly as any - catch about anything that comes along. Anyway, we choose to buy fresh looking veggies, fruit and meat and we are happy and for the most part healthy. Long post, sorry.