Why Organic Healthy Food Costs More
Choosing healthy, organic food doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg. .
So why does organic food have to cost so much? If something is all-natural, surely it stands to reason that not adding things to it would cost less?
As a farmer from a 6th generation farming family. We are the custodians of the land for the generations to follow. We have seriously considered becoming an organic farm. It’s good for us, the soil, and everything else.
To grow organic food is expensive.
We have learned that to become an entirely organic farm is expensive.
Certified Organic farmers need to meet strict growing, and packaging guidelines. This is why the prices to produce healthy organic food tends to higher than non-organic foods.
Unless you grow, you own, buying organic foods would be affordable for the rich. You can prioritize your organic, healthy food choices with the “Dirty Dozen” list. Every year the Environmental Working Group has published a list of “Dirty Dozen” as well as a clean food list.
Foods on the Dirty Dozen list show high levels of pesticides. These are the fruits and vegetables you grow yourself or buy as healthy organic food.
The Environmental Working Group tests pesticides. They test how much residue is on and in the plant. The food on the Clean 15 list has had little to no trace of pesticides or herbicides on them.
Rinsing fruit and vegetables in water is not enough to remove all pesticide residues. Learn how to clean your produce with bicarb soda here.
The Dirty Dozen and Clean list of Fruit and Veggies.
What are the common Dirty Dozen Plus Fruits and Vegetables?
- Strawberries
- Apples
- Blueberries
- Celery
- Cherries
- Grapes
- Lettuce
- Nectarines
- Peaches
- Potatoes
- Spinach, kale and collard greens
- Bell peppers
- Hot Chili
What are the common Clean 15 Foods?
- Asparagus
- Avocados
- Cabbage
- Eggplant
- Grapefruit
- Kiwi Fruit
- Mangoes
- Onions
- Papayas
- Pineapples
- Corn
- Cantaloupe
- Cauliflower
- Peas (fresh or frozen)
- Sweet Potatoes
There is no doubt how popular organic produce is. And, there is so much behind the process – the growing and promoting. Certified Organic farmers grow their food as a labor of love. It’s hard and meticulous work.
There are rules to follow for food labeling helping consumers to make the right choice for them.
The certification labeling varies across countries, and not all countries follow organic regulations. Check on your food labels for the source of ingredients. Here is the list where healthy organic food regulations are applied.
The cost of growing healthy organic food.
Naturally, the extra cost to produced organic foods is passed onto the consumer. If you want organic food you will have to pay for it. Given the growth of organic food, many are making the choice.
Organic Foods are Seasonal
Organic foods are seasonal, meaning they grow when nature wants them to. And, when this happens, all the sunshine, moisture, and nutrients are available to grow well.
Organic produce is usually locally grown, which is great for several reasons:
• Money is being spent in your local community.
• You’re supporting your local farmers and businesses.
• You’re reducing your carbon footprint by buying local – you don’t have to worry about shipping containers, gas emissions, etc.
By buying local, you make everybody in the community better off, in the grand scheme of things.
Local farmers unable to afford certification use safe methods. These farmers don’t have certifications but are growing healthy organic foods.
Be sure to talk with producers at the farmers’ market to see if they are using organic methods to grow their foods. Chances are most of them, are growing foods organically.
Should You Choose Organic Produce?
You may be wondering if you need to choose organic produce over non-organic? Organic or Not? will help you to decide.
Ask yourself if you need the latest of everything? What’s more important ” things to have” or your health? You probably want stuff as we all do, and need to assess spending priorities.
The same idea applies to organic food. The reality is that your body would prefer to have healthy organic foods, but there’s no real proof that your body needs it.
Fairtrade and Organic Foods: Why The Push?
Fairtrade is an organization working with farmers.
Fairtrade products need certification just as certification for organic produce is required. Fairtrade certifies for a fair price paid for the products and a fair wage for the workers.
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Fairtrade produce is not necessarily organic as many believe.
Many Fairtrade products and ingredients are sourced from developing countries. Some countries do not have a rigorous system of organic regulation. Over half of all Fair Trade Certified products imported into the USA are also organic.
Fairtrade practices enable farmers to make a good living. Not all foods are organic in Fairtrade. Some are, and some are not so that you can check the list of countries here.
There are many reaons Why Organic Healthy Food Costs More, farmers do it as a way of life, proud to produce the best food. Choose organic when you can and be altert to what is organic and not.
