Simply put… Organic food (to me) is just plain fear-mongering food alarmist stuff.
As old and venerable as I am these days… I’ve earned the right to be hugely skeptical about *any* one thing deemed “good” or “bad.”
Chemicals are bad! say the Organic proponents.
News flash folks – *everything* is made from chemicals. Water is made from chemicals. Organic pesticides are made from chemicals. Nonorganic pesticides are made from chemicals.
From my own personal research, it seems that the *vast* majority of “organic goodness” is simply “spend more money without *really* knowing the full details of what you’re getting.
Case and point: The USDA has a grand page about what the USDA Organic Label Means:
“…USDA certified organic foods are grown and processed according to federal guidelines addressing, among many factors, soil quality, animal raising practices, pest and weed control, and use of additives. Organic producers rely on natural substances and physical, mechanical, or biologically based farming methods to the fullest extent possible.
Produce can be called organic if it’s certified to have grown on soil that had no prohibited substances applied for three years prior to harvest. Prohibited substances include most synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. In instances when a grower has to use a synthetic substance to achieve a specific purpose, the substance must first be approved according to criteria that examine its effects on human health and the environment (see other considerations in “Organic 101: Allowed and Prohibited Substances”) … MORE….
Notice how nothing regarding *the nutritional value* is mentioned (either in that snippet… or on the page).
Organic is simply a way something is grown or something is raised.
So why is it so popular?
In one word – scare-mongering WORKS!
Okay that was 3 words.
To wit:
Want some resources where you can research organic vs. non-organic as well?
Do keep in mind that BOTH sides are entirely biased (but as non-organic is based in science, I’ll give it ‘way more leeway!)….. but see for yourself.
- Forbes.com: How ‘Organic’ Agriculture Evolved From Marketing Tool To Evil Empire
- Forbes.com: The Colossal Hoax Of Organic Agriculture
- Forbes.com: Fanaticism, Pragmatism And Organic Agriculture
- NYTimes: It’s Organic, but Does That Mean It’s Safer?
- SciBabe: The Science Babe Rules for Bullshit Detection
Don’t get me wrong…
I’m feeding a family of 6 every day.
And if “buying organic” translates into “paying more and getting less”….
No way in HECK am I going to fall for that food alarmist marketing schtick.
So instead of organic, I zero in to the non-organic stuff on sale at my local Shoprite….
Or visit my local Korean grocery store (where the veggies are less than typical grocery stores, but I’m still supporting local businesses)….
Or see what I can buy and freeze in bulk.
Your takeaway?
Don’t be swayed by organic marketing swag.
Do your own research and make your own decisions.
And then invest the money you save!
Grow strong,
Mama Bear
