Is Organic Worth the Money?

I don't mean to cast a dark shadow on the nature organic vegetable scene, but with each serving you eat, you're playing Russian Roulette with your health. The powers that be created pesticides for a reason...to kill bacteria. Simply washing doesn't knock off organisms that cause ill health. Ask the people that ate organic spinach, bag salad, etc.

I've been gradually adding more and more organic to our weekly shopping so that the majority of what I buy is organic. That said, I only buy organic meat on occasion because it's simply too expensive for a family of four. I hope that some day soon we'll be eating only locally grown produce---though I'm not sure where we'll need to live to be able to afford it and access it!

I feel like I can taste the difference with some organic produce. Like tomatoes that are grown organically in my aunt's garden taste like real tomatoes, like how they tasted when I was a kid. What is with the tomatoes that certain grocery stores and sandwich shops try to pass off as a tomato? It's pink, mushy, and tastes like s*%t. Strawberries, too. To keep my costs down, I only buy organic with fruits that I don't peel. I've decided to buy regular bananas since they peel. But I do buy all organic veggies. I can't afford to, but I figure that while I'm on Earth, I might as well do it right. I like being good to my body, so I feed it well.

I believe organic food is better for me and the environment. I belong to a food coop that I love to hate, but it does bring the prices way, way down for organic food. Also, check out your local CSA. There are options that make organic food possible for whoever wants to eat it.

I feel so much guilt over this too - I wish I could afford more, but like everyone else who's commented, I just try to focus on produce, meat, and dairy. And actually, I've started eating less meat because I don't always get to shop at organic-friendly places, and the meats seem to drive up the cost.

I think it's worth it to splurge on some organic produce and meats, but I don't think you have to break the bank to eat well. Bulk organic foods, like brown rice, grains, beans, oatmeals, pasta, etc. are low-cost and nutritious. It's the packaged stuff that adds up. I shop at small markets that tend to have produce, including organic produce, for a lot less than Whole Foods (aka Whole Paycheck).

I think organic produce is worth the price. Organic farmers practice crop rotation so as not to deplete the soil and other farming practices that result in better tasting and healthier food. I'm not saying I'm willing to do a blind taste test, but I truly believe organic is healthier and that organic farmers should be supported. As for processed food... I am not convinced there is a big difference. I try to avoid high fructose corn syrup, but is organic cane juice any better? I don't know and I haven't had time to investigate... I also buy grass fed beef, free-range chicken and hormone-free eggs and dairy products. I don't think the price is that much higher, especially if you get your organic food at the regular grocery store. My money saving strategy: avoid Whole Foods! That store is a rip off...

I totally agree that buying all organic is too darn expensive, and I'm pretty sure my son doesn't need organic Cheerios. I prioritize the food that I think is most important to have organic, and don't worry about the rest. The foods I usually buy organic are milk, chicken, some other dairy products like cottage cheese, and certain fruits and vegetables, like berries and spinach.