I like organic food. Plain and simple. But sometimes I have this nagging feeling that maybe I should just eat the cheapest food possible and give the difference in money that I save to hungry people that don’t have a choice between organic and conventional food. And then I argue (to myself) that it’s a shame that I do have a choice and if I don’t choose organic then what a slap it is in the face of those who don’t get to choose. I’m sure given the choice, they’d also want better produce, right?
Whatever the case, I have to make peace with myself each time that I fill my basket at Whole Foods and load up paid groceries into my “recyclable” shopping bags. I have to say that I’m not an organic “foody” because of the current trend to be “green”. In fact, I came about organic food years ago before it was all the rage.
My personal reason for choosing organic food was after a couple years of extreme stomach pain while I lived in the dorms in college. My third year of college, I moved to Belarus to study Russian. I talked to my mom over the phone after about 2 weeks and she asked me how my stomach had been feeling… the truth is that I had to stop and think. No, I had had no stomach issues since my move to Belarus. Now, wait a minute, I thought… why? Belarus has no “organic” food. And then I realized that in Bealrus, people eat differently. There really is no need for a distinction between organic and conventional food. Meat is local – always local. Cheese, milk, and fresh baked bread doesn’t travel more than a mile from the place it originated.
So, when I came back home… I knew that I had to make the personal switch to the very expensive, “elitist” organic grocery if I were to avoid lots and lots of future medical bills for feeling bad. That was years ago and since then, I’ve acquired a husband, two cats and two kids and realize that we have incorporated natural living and organic food into our lives quite easily.
With the changes in the economy, I feel sometimes that we should make the change of cuisine on our kitchen table… but never can quite make the switch. I guess that I’ve come to the conclusion that right now that organic and local food in our bellies is more important to me than an extra 400 square feet of living space.
I know that not everyone has the option to choose where their food comes from. And I’m not saying that if you eat food from Walmart that you’re wrong! I think that it feels good for parents to make decisions for their family based on information and their own desires. I hope that one day, organic food will be much less expensive than conventional food and conventional food will just drop off the face of the earth! I hope that all capable families will grow strong and healthy children and will give to people that cannot afford their own good food. I feel by paying a bit more for my groceries now, I am increasing the demand for good food so in the future the cost of organics will go down… we can all play a small part in changing things according to our passions.
So as I raise my organic yogurt smoothie in the air I say that I vow to always choose good food for my family over things that collect dust!
Here are a few helpful food resources:
“French Women Don’t Get Fat” by Mireille Guiliano – awesome book with lots of yummy recipes… encourages eating for fun!
Dr. Sear’s “The Nutrition Book” – a great addition to any parent’s library
#1 by Jeanmarie Rouhier at July 1st, 2009
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Actually, I object to the term “conventional” food for food that is clearly non-conventional, in that it is industrial and not how we should be growing our food.
But other than that I agree. I spoke to a person writing a diss. at UK a few years about about how the US spends less of a percentage of salary on food than any other country. As a result, we don’t think about the quality and are not as picky as we might be. I too will spend more to get good, honest, local food, as far as possible.
But given that much organic is not local, that is also a dilemma, because the transport costs and emissions are certainly not green.
And ultimately, even if not organic, natural, whole foods are better than the crap sold by most food processing companies. It is hard to outthink the food marketers, but we should, if we expect them to change and get with the more wholesome program. Have you read In Defense of Food?
#2 by Heather at July 1st, 2009
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Yeah, Lauren! I think people would be so much healthier if they chose organic when they can for their children. Or, at least research more about what they are eating! It is amazing! Right now, in our financial position, we don’t have the luxury to eat organic all the time, but we do try to in the things that really matter. But, I think even if you can’t do organic on everything, there are still wiser choices that can be made than just the junk that is cheapest.
And, a nice tip for those milk drinkers out there. My dad has worked in the dairy industry for 30 years (the corporate side). His company, Deanfoods, has farmers that provide milk not only for themselves but other brands like Kroger, and Purity, etc… Even without being the expensive “organic” brand, all of their farmers have pledged a commitment to hormone/antibiotic free cows and milk. They are checked on regularly etc… So, for us, it is financially impossible to keep my kids drinking organic milk exclusively, but I can feel better about giving them even Kroger brand. So, some things are not all bad.
But, it takes the time for research.
The other option is joining a local CSA. We have a lot around here. It is community supported agriculture and most of the farmers commit to organic only produce. Here, you join for 15 weeks in the summer for about $320 and you get a huge basket every week to feed a family of 4! There are different veggies & fruits & flowers each week depending on the growing season for the summer, but that is pretty cheap for organic, local produce. Check it out where you live! Or visit a local dairy for a real treat!
Yeah for organic!
#3 by Miranda Woodall at July 2nd, 2009
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I came across an artlicle one time that compared the average American’s cost on food to their cost on health care. As you would expect, typically, the less a family spent on food, the more on health care, and visa versa. I took this to be my justification for spending a little more on organic. They are also doing some crazy things to food these days, like irradation, and modifying genes. Something just isn’t right about it!
Check out “Nourishing Traditions” by Sally Fallon.
#4 by Lauren at July 2nd, 2009
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Thanks for the feedback. I will definitely check out those two books… thanks for the recommendations.
Also, thanks pointing out the need to buy locally. All organic food isn’t necessarily local… and vice versa. I think the most important thing is to make decisions based on information… which many people cannot get, or don’t go after.
Awesome dialog!
#5 by Amelia at July 6th, 2009
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Lauren–Have you ever read “Diet for a Small Planet?” (I’m sure you have a lot of time for reading!). In Lexington, you just can’t get everything local and/or organic. One thing that is great to do for the environment and humanity in general is to reduce or eliminate the amount of meat in your diet. Of course, I’m vegetarian, so I’m biased. But the “Diet for a Small Planet” explains how the American meat obsession is really at the expense of all of the hungry people across the world…for example, it takes 16lbs of grain to produce 1lb of beef and that 16lbs of grain could otherwise feed a lot of humans. In addition to the health and environmental benefits of local and organic food, meatless diets are a great way to reduce our carbon footprint and share our bounty with the world!
#6 by Heather at July 8th, 2009
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I also wanted to add, if you are in search of organic items…our Big Lots is an excellent resource. We have found everything there from bread to noodles, kids snacks, cereal, and everything in between. All name brands at closeout prices
Our Big Lots has been a great resource to get organic things at a price we can afford.