i eat raw a lot and have found that the organic produce is ridiculously high priced (seems like it should cost less b/c $ isn't spent on pesticides...?) and often not as fresh as the regular produce. also while researching why organic is so costly i discovered that what the USDA stamps organic is really not at all. mostly they allow percentages of chemical and non-organic farming practices into the criteria for approving organic items. so if you buy organic to avoid pesticides and chemicals, you are wasting money.
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My husband and I spend approximately 200$ per month on food. That doesn't count if we order things by the case (which, theoretically should last us a long time and save money in the end...) We take out 200$ cash at the beginning of the month and spend it until we run out.
We shop pretty much all organic at a food Co-op for the two of us. I work there, and so get a discount on all my purchases. I also have access to the free bin, where we get a lot of goodies. I work in produce, so many many fresh fruits and veg that has to be culled goes into my fridge at night (I swear, it has to be culled!)
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lol
Greensgood, I am sorry you have had bad experiences with organic foods in the past. There are a lot of reasons organic costs more, a large one though is that farmers can charge a premium.
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There are additional expenses involving pest and weed removal and well as a possibility of decreased yields. Plus many farms that are organic now recently transitioned, and that kind of change takes its toll.
As to freshness of organic, often organic food sells slower than conventional, so it waits longer to be bought. Also since there is less turnaround, the store makes less money on it, so isn't as quick to cull it. If they are going through 8 boxes of apples a day, it is no big thing to throw 3 away if they are bruised, but if they are only selling 12 apples a day, that is a quarter of their profit.
The store I work in does a pretty brisk business, and we (attempt) to keep the produce in tip top shape, and have gotten many compliments that it is the best looking organic produce whoever said it has ever seen. It is not that organic just looks bad, it is the difficulties that can be with selling it.
I am not sure what you mean about the USDA labeling things organic that aren't. Maybe you could specify?
We shop pretty much all organic at a food Co-op for the two of us. I work there, and so get a discount on all my purchases. I also have access to the free bin, where we get a lot of goodies. I work in produce, so many many fresh fruits and veg that has to be culled goes into my fridge at night (I swear, it has to be culled!)
Greensgood, I am sorry you have had bad experiences with organic foods in the past. There are a lot of reasons organic costs more, a large one though is that farmers can charge a premium.
As to freshness of organic, often organic food sells slower than conventional, so it waits longer to be bought. Also since there is less turnaround, the store makes less money on it, so isn't as quick to cull it. If they are going through 8 boxes of apples a day, it is no big thing to throw 3 away if they are bruised, but if they are only selling 12 apples a day, that is a quarter of their profit.
The store I work in does a pretty brisk business, and we (attempt) to keep the produce in tip top shape, and have gotten many compliments that it is the best looking organic produce whoever said it has ever seen. It is not that organic just looks bad, it is the difficulties that can be with selling it.
I am not sure what you mean about the USDA labeling things organic that aren't. Maybe you could specify?
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You know, maybe eating organic just feels better, b/c ppl are thinking they are eating better. Our thoughts can take us far and if you think you are eating better and it is making you healthier, then you will feel and be healthier!
You bring up a great point. I do agree...to an extent. I think the USDA organic approval is crap, just like you. The gov't wanted to be involved in organic farming and that will take it's toll on it! Ideally getting local, organic (or high organic like 95%) would be ideal. Even if they aren't certified organic, but you know their practices are ethical and up to (your) standards, then go for it. This is again ideal and not available to all.Originally Posted by greensgood
i eat raw a lot and have found that the organic produce is ridiculously high priced (seems like it should cost less b/c $ isn't spent on pesticides...?) and often not as fresh as the regular produce. also while researching why organic is so costly i discovered that what the USDA stamps organic is really not at all. mostly they allow percentages of chemical and non-organic farming practices into the criteria for approving organic items. so if you buy organic to avoid pesticides and chemicals, you are wasting money.
You know, maybe eating organic just feels better, b/c ppl are thinking they are eating better. Our thoughts can take us far and if you think you are eating better and it is making you healthier, then you will feel and be healthier!
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wow, that's awesome!Originally Posted by Injoy
I am eating all raw, and mainly fresh fruits and vegetables. At first, the cost was very high and I didn't even think of organic.
Now I talk to organic fruit shop owners for ripe fruit at a discount... I also found the organic wholesale market in my city and go there every week. There, I get organic produce for prices much less than non-organic retail prices, for example, a tray of 20 mangos for $10 or a 15kilo box of bananas for $10...
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I did not even know what CSA was and have just spent the better part of the hour doing some research. I learn so much from this place! I'd seen CSA abbreviated here but just thought it was some store or something only offered at some places. We have three farms here with a CSA program. That's unreal!!! I can't wait for the season to start as I'll definitely be purchasing a membership. Good Stuff!!Originally Posted by *AHIMSA*
CSA (community supported agriculture) memberships are a great way to help your local farmers AND your family too.
^^^You might want to call the farms now. I don't know about your area, but here they all have massive wait lists. If that is the case there, you might as well get a head start!
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