why you shouldn’t worry about buying organic

Blasphemous as it may seem coming from me, I am going to say it and stand by it. I don’t think you should worry about buying organic.

Let’s clear up some things from the start: I think organic is better, I buy it when I can. So if that is the case why would I tell you not to worry about it? Simple it really is more expensive and if your bank account says you can buy real food, but can’t afford organic then I would vote for buying real food over cheap crap.

There are a lot of news stories and opinion pieces that demand we all buy organic and that is great if you can afford it, but I can’t afford it every week so I buy the best food I can afford.

When we moved from California things changed in our buying patterns, we had less money because of a change in jobs. This forced me to rethink my position on this.

Here are my thoughts: I feel strongly that we should eat the best food we can afford, we should grow our food in a way that is good for the earth, and I don’t know all the answers about what is good for the earth and quite frankly neither do you. There is so much information out there that it can be hard to disseminate it all and come to an answer that is bullet-proof. I personally am done trying. I am doing the best I have with what I can and making rational changes where I see fit.

3 reasons you shouldn’t worry about it

1. the nutrients are the same apple vs organic apple — an apple by any other name is still an apple. The nutrients of the fruit do not improve because it is organic. The only thing that might make organic better for you is the lack of pesticides. A huge difference sure, but know that spending more money on organic isn’t giving you more vitamins and minerals. I get the same amount from the conventional produce I eat.
2. it isn’t budget-friendly — It really does cost more to eat organic. It doesn’t cost more to eat well though. I can still eat and cook good food without breaking the bank, but to cook 100% organic is out of my range. I can’t justify being cash strapped to put organic on the table. My priority is good food I can afford and that is better than eating junk I can afford.
3. natural pesticides may not be any safer — We just don’t know about the options yet. Organic doesn’t mean pesticides aren’t used it just means that they are natural versus chemical. Some of those options have been as damaging to the environment even if they are better for us.

5 things you can do instead of buying organic

1. join a CSA or go to the farms market — Joining a CSA, (community-supported agriculture), or shopping at a farmers market is a great way to speak with your dollars. Buying local puts your money in the hands of farmers that care about what they are growing. If you are at the market you can even ask the farmers about how they grow the produce. You might be surprised to find that some of them don’t use pesticides even though their fares aren’t labeled organic. That organic label is expensive to get so some farmers opt to skip it and that means they don’t have to pass that cost on to you.
2. eat less meat — The meat industry is an area that, in my opinion, needs the most change. Voting with your dollars has proven to be one of the best ways to change that industry. Your voice and dollars made it so McDonald’s announced they are transitioning to chicken not raised on antibiotics. Which prompted Costco to do the same. If the meat you do buy is organic and at the least antibiotic-free you are sending a message and they are starting to hear it.
3. buy organic from the dirty dozen list — Tests have been done on how much pesticides are found in fruits and veggies. Which helped with the creation of the dirty dozen. A list of 12 fruits and veggies that have been shown to absorb more pesticides than others. So if you can’t afford all organic that is okay, just try to stick to organic for these items. There is also a clean 15 list of produce least likely to have pesticides. Buying organic on these items is not worth the extra cash.
4. educate your friends — It would be nice if the quality of the food options improved, but it really takes voting with our dollars. Spread the news with friends so they start buying better quality food and the message will continue to be sent that we care about what we eat. If customers won’t buy it they won’t sell it. It is a long process, but it is that simple.
5. get involved in local movements — No matter where you live there is some food movement demanding better food choices. Get involved. Be vocal locally. If you sit on your couch and don’t do anything change isn’t going to happen. You have to make your opinions heard. Either through your voice or your dollars. If you don’t have time, but can donate money, do it.

What is the biggest deciding factor in what you buy when you go grocery shopping?

Originally published at www.witwisdomandfood.com on October 29, 2015.