Affordability, That Is the Question!

A while back, after people started discussing trans fats, one of my close friends asked me what I thought about—of all things—“organic food.” My initial reaction was, “She’s got to be kiddin’!” I mean, she knows that I—of all people—enjoy me a little Haagen Dazs every once in awhile. Anyway, once my disbelief wore off, I was thinking, how do I find out about this? I was curious, but I can never bring myself to completely trust the so-called “experts”; I wanted to know first-hand. Then it came to me! I would become my own subject and for at least an entire week eat nothing but organic products.

Again, I emphasize that I’m not someone who has ever subscribed to the consumption of organic foods. Now, before I proceed to give you the commentary about my week-long experiment, I think it’s only appropriate that, as a responsible correspondent, I share with you a few basic things I learned about what organic food is. Stay with me through these dry facts.

To be certified organic, products must be grown or manufactured according to specific standards set by the country or state in which they are sold. There are many different standards. However, the basic philosophy and some of the guidelines behind organic standards are pretty similar all over. Genetic modification is not allowed. Crops are grown without the use of conventional pesticides, artificial fertilizers, or sewage sludge. They are processed without ionizing radiation or any artificial additives, flavorings, colorings, and preservatives. Animals are reared without the routine use of antibiotics and without the use of growth hormones. Processed foods contain only (or mostly) organic ingredients and no artificial food additives. Organic food is processed using fewer artificial methods, materials, and conditions than non-organic food (e.g., no chemical ripening, no food irradiation).

Now, on to my experiment. First of all, I knew I would need my snacks. Faced with the multitude of organic products available, I wanted to identify a few brands of organic processed goods that I knew I would enjoy, before I even started the experiment. By an (expensive) process of elimination, I did find a few tasty snacks, and was now ready to begin in earnest.