I get asked a lot if everything I buy is organic, and then immediate follow-up questions of how I can afford to do so (particularly given that we aren’t exactly rolling in excess cash over here) and if it really matters to buy organic.
The truth? We buy everything we possibly can organic- I’d guess about 95% of everything we buy/eat is certified organic or from local farms who use sustainable and biodynamic practices but don’t have the organic certification for cost reasons.
How do we afford it? We just prioritize it in our budget. Rather than eat out at restaurants multiple times a week, or stop for a coffee every morning at a drive-through, or buy excessive amounts of random stuff at target and outrageously expensive shoes or a new phone every year (for real though- that stuff adds up!), we spend our money on high quality food. And, in my experience, it actually isn’t significantly more expensive to do so, if you shop strategically and are willing to get creative.
I recognize how privileged I am to have access to stores and local farms that sell organic products, and that not everyone does, and some people might not have other places in their budget they can cut in order to afford buying organic products. I firmly believe in the importance of buying and eating organically, and think that everyone, regardless of their socioeconomic status, should have access to organic food. The fact that corporations are allowed to poison the planet and sell the toxic fruits of their labor to the masses is not lost on me, and I just wanted to make sure to say that I acknowledge how messed up our food system is. Sending all the love to those of you who struggle with food security and are just doing the best you can with what you have, organic or not.
If you’re able to, here are 5 reasons to choose organic.
1. To Protect the Soil + Water
Persistent use of pesticides and fertilizers in conventional agriculture is rapidly depleting the nutrient content of our planet’s soil; so much so, that in some cases, the soil is damaged to the point where it can no longer even be used to grow crops anymore, and in others, the crops grown in said soil not only contain traces of the chemicals used to grow them, but actually have fewer nutrients than they did generations ago. Not only is soil being damaged beyond repair, but whatever pesticides and fertilizers don’t stay on the plant or the soil end up in our waterways, damaging plant and marine life and, eventually, us. Organic agriculture, on the other hand, rejuvenates the land and is actually shown to increase the micronutrient content of the soil (source). By purchasing organic products, you are directly supporting farming practices that help restore our planet.
2. Farmers + Farm Workers
In conventional farming, farmers and farm workers are often exposed to toxic pesticides on a daily basis, which has been linked to a broad range of chronic health issues including respiratory problems, impaired brain function, behavior disorders, various cancers, and more (source). Not only that, but the use of persistent pesticides has a trickle down effect in the workers’ communities, as the application of pesticides results in run-off in the water, air, and soil of the communities where farmers live. The people who grow our food are a precious resource, as we would literally be starving without them; by purchasing organic produce, you are helping support the health of the very people who grew your food, whether they live in your town or somewhere across the world.
3. Your Health
This is a tough one, in that seems so intuitive to me, but there isn’t a large body of scientific evidence to back up my reasoning. Since people have only recently begun to wonder what the impacts of consuming conventionally grown produce are on the human body, scientific research is still being conducted to try to answer that question; from what I’ve read evidence is still inconclusive as of 2019. The USDA acknowledges that organic produce has lower concentrations of pesticides than conventional produce does, but isn’t willing to suggest that organic is healthier for the body than non. My thoughts? If non-organic agriculture depletes the soil, produces less nutrient-dense and more toxic produce, it should reason that organic produce is inherently more nutritious for your body. Period.
4. Climate Change
Research shows that organic agriculture actually has the ability to help fight climate change via stored carbon in the soil, reduced energy consumption, minimal nitrogen use from pesticides, and the ability to resist increasingly extreme climate patterns (source). It should come as a surprise to exactly no one (well, perhaps except for the POTUS) that our planet is in a serious state of crisis, so literally anything we can do to help mitigate climate change is essential. Choosing organic isn’t the only way, and perhaps not even the single most impactful way (the fuel we use for transportation and generating electricity, raising livestock, and industrial emissions are among the highest), but it helps, and that matters.
5. Taste
This is not a remotely scientific reason to choose organic, but one that I think matters most to a lot of people: TASTE. In my experience, organic produce is often fresher (since it doesn’t have the ability to sit on the shelves as long as conventional produce without spoiling), riper, juicier, and overall better tasting. Perhaps this is just because, in my quest to purchase everything organic, I end up buying mostly in-season produce, which tends to taste better anyway. It could also be because organic produce is grown in healthier, more diverse soil, it takes on a more unique flavor profile compared to non-organic produce grown in severely depleted soil. I don’t know. I just know that I’m obsessed with the flavor of organic produce and really do think it tastes better.
Another thing to consider:
Authentic organic agriculture is more time consuming and often yields less than conventional farming. Because of this, profit-at-all-costs corporations often use organic certification as yet another marketing ploy. When giant corporations are responsible for their own certification, get waivers to approve the use of certain pesticides, and do the absolute minimum required to meet the organic certification, very few of the above benefits hold true. This means that switching from regular to organic Doritos, for example, probably isn’t doing a whole lot in terms of making an impact on our planet. Seeking out small independent companies is a great place to start, as is getting to know your local farmers- or buying from companies who are transparent about their farming practices and uplifting farmers and the planet. I like view organic as the baseline minimum quality standard I look for in the food I’m buying, but not as the only way to ensure it’s been produced in a way that protects the health of people + the planet.
