The Increasing Popularity of Organics
The United States has the largest organic food industry in the world. Organic food production in this country dates back to the 1940s. While interest in organics has grown steadily since then, during the 1990s it boomed. Certified organic cropland more than doubled from 1992 to 1997, at the same time organic livestock sectors, eggs and dairy, grew even faster. By 2000 more organic food was sold in conventional grocery stores than in the traditional natural/ health food stores. In October of 2002 “Organics” became United States Government, USDA approved, program.
Organic is a labeling term that denotes products produced under the authority of the Organic Food Production Act. Organic farming methods produce crops without the use of synthetic pesticides and in this process they minimize pollution to the air, soil, and water. Organic food handlers, processors, and retailers adhere to standards that maintain the integrity of organic agricultural products.
Although many organic products do cost more than conventional products, the price of organic foods is becoming more competitive as supply and demand continue to rise. If you take a few extra minutes when shopping to compare prices, you’ll see produce, in its season, is generally competitive. Snack foods are also often competitive. Don’t forget to check the prices on dairy, eggs, poultry, and meat.
Since pesticides move up the food chain from field crops fed to animals, to livestock products eaten by humans – it seems healthful to eat organic as often as possible. Tips for stretching your organic food dollars include buying in bulk, starting a buying club, growing and canning your own food, joining a Community Supported Agriculture program (CSA), and getting shopper discounts by volunteering at a food co-op.
Shopping Guide for Choosing Produce
Highest in Pesticides Lowest in Pesticides
These 12
popular fresh fruits These 12
popular fresh fruits
and vegetables are consistently and
vegetables consistently have
the most contaminated with the
lowest levels of pesticides
pesticides—buy these organic.
Apples
Asparagus
Bell Peppers
Celery
Cherries
Avocados
Grapes (imported)
Bananas
Nectarines
Broccoli
Peaches
Cauliflower
Pears
Corn (sweet)
Potatoes
Kiwi
Red Raspberries
Mangos
Spinach
Onions
Strawberries
Papaya
Pineapples
Peas (sweet)
Shop How This Guide Was Developed
The produce ranking was developed by analysts at the not-for-profit Environmental Working Group (EWG) based on the results of more than 100,000 tests for pesticides on produce collected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration between 1992 and 2001. A detailed description of the criteria used in developing the rankings as well as a full list of fresh fruits and vegetables that have been tested, is available at www.foodnews.org, EWG’s companion site to the Shopper’s Guide.
Quick Links
· Organic Trade Association: http://www.ota.com
· Organic Farming Research Association: http://www.ofrf.org
· USDA's national organic program: http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop/
· The Organic Consumers Association
· Northeast Organic Farming Association
