Organic Food – Is it Worth the Cost?

There really isn’t any question about it. Organically produced produce and meat does cost more than produce and meat produced using what are considered traditional methods. Traditional methods include the use of chemical fertilizers, toxic pesticides, and drugs. Organic food is raised using no artificial chemical products, toxic products, or drugs.

It is also true that not as much produce is produced per acre using organic production standards. Animals do not grow as large when no growth hormones are used, so there is less meat produced per animal. It doesn’t cost MORE to raise produce or meat using organic techniques, but there is simply less production, and so the cost is passed along to the consumer. The mathematics support higher prices for organic products.

The facts certainly substantiate the need for the producers to charge more for organically produced meat and vegetables, but are the higher costs worth it to the consumer? Personally, I believe that the added cost is worth it and that consumers reap health benefits personally, and the earth reaps rewards that benefit all of us.

The government has set “acceptable” levels of pesticide residue on the fruits and vegetables that are grown using what are called traditional methods. Currently, the levels of chemical IN the fruits and vegetables associated with the chemical fertilizers used are not regulated, and there are no tests currently being done to determine the levels. Meat that is produced using traditional methods is allowed to contain certain levels of antibiotics and growth hormones.




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