Why Choose Organic?
Organic options are more widely available than ever–from grocery stores to restaurants to clothing brands–choosing organic has never been easier. When you see an organic label or tag at a grocery store or shopping center, have you ever wondered about what the term “organic” really means?
In this blog, I dive into the definitions of conventional and organic labels, provide the Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce lists, reasons to choose organic produce, and how to support your local farmers.
Conventional Vs. Orgnaic
More and more people are becoming extra conscious about what they put into their bodies, and for good reason. Excessive use of pesticides that are commonly sprayed on conventional produce has been linked to negative health outcomes such as cancer, hormone disruption, reproductive system harm, and brain and nervous system toxicity.
According to Science Direct, Conventional or genetically engineered (GE) farming practices refer to the reliance on modern agricultural systems that include frequent use of synthetic chemical fertilizers, fungicides, insecticides, herbicides, genetically modified organisms (GMOs), intensive tillage, and irrigation.
An organic food label describes how the food (or clothing) item was farmed rather than about the item itself. For organic farming, certain soil additives, fertilizers, genetic engineering, or radiation can not be used when growing the product. When it comes to farm animals, hormones or antibiotics can not be used as a form of growth supplement; they must be fed organic feed and have the option to go outside.
The Organic Label
In order for a producer to receive an organic label in the United States, their products must have more than 95% certified organic ingredients. When a label says “made with organic ____,” that means the product contains at least 70% of organically produced ingredients.
According to the USDA, part of the requirements of an organic label include practices that foster resource cycling, promote ecological balance, maintain and improve soil and water quality, minimize the use of synthetic materials, and conserve biodiversity.
Other Reasons to Choose Organic
Soil Health
Because organic farmers use either no pesticides or choose natural organic fertilizers and biomaterial additives to soil, such as compost, green manures (cover crops grown for soil improvement), and animal manures, organic farming is beneficial for soil health. When we take care of the soil, it takes care of us!
Taste and quality
Many people who choose local and organic produce agree that it just tastes better than buying conventional grocery produce. In many cases, with grocery store produce, fruits and vegetables are picked before they are ripe and then shipped to a store, commonly traveling thousands of miles before they reach the shelves.
Higher Animal Welfare
In the case of choosing organic meat, organic farming has higher standards than conventional farming. Animals are encouraged to forage, graze, and roam with space and access to fresh air.
Interestingly, livestock that were raised grazing as their diet usually means they have a higher level of omega-3 fatty acids.
Increased levels of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other micronutrients
Organically-grown food products contain higher amounts of vitamin C, vitamin E, and carotenoids. They also contain higher amounts of minerals such as calcium, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, and iron.
Environmental Working Group
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) has been releasing the Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce since 2004. Wanting the public to be educated about the harms of pesticide use, the EWG has created the Dirty Dozen and Clean Fifteen lists using research from the EPA and USDA.
The Environmental Working Group ran an analysis on 47 items, and these 12 fruits and vegetables were the most contaminated with pesticides:
Potatoes
Blueberries
Blackberries
Apples
Peats
Nectarines
Cherries
Peaches
Grapes
Kale, Collards, and Mustard Greens
Strawberries
Spinach
It is recommended to buy these 12 fruits and vegetables organically.
These items had the lowest amounts of pesticides according to the most recent USDA data:
Pineapples
Sweet corn (fresh and frozen)
Avocados
Papaya
Onion
Sweet peas (frozen)
Asparagus
Cabbage
Watermelon
Cauliflower
Bananas
Mangoes
Carrots
Mushrooms
Kiwi
Choosing Local and Community Supported Agriculture Boxes
CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) is a way for community members to buy local, seasonal food directly from a farmer while investing in their agricultural community. Farmers are able to create boxes or baskets for individuals who have memberships or subscriptions to their products. Boxes and baskets include ultra-fresh and seasonal produce that is grown within miles of your home. Depending on your subscription, some CSA boxes include eggs, homemade bread, meat, cheese, and even flowers!
Even if you do not choose to invest in CSA boxes or baskets, I encourage you to check out your local farmers' markets to learn more about farms in your community and support the hard work farmers commit to every year for high-quality food.
If you are local to Charleston, SC, here is a list of my favorite farmers' markets:
Sea Island (Saturday) - https://www.seaislandfarmersmarket.com/
Downtown Charleston (Saturday) - https://www.charlestonfarmersmarket.com/
West Ashley (Wednesday) - https://www.charlestonfarmersmarket.com/west-ashley-farmers-market/
Mount Pleasant (Tuesday) - https://experiencemountpleasant.com/farmers-market/
Summerville (Sunday) - https://www.visitsummerville.com/farmers-market
The Sunday Brunch Farmer's Market (Pour House) - James Island (Sunday) - https://www.sundaybrunchfarmersmarket.com/
Although I am a supporter of buying local food when you can and supporting local farmers through farmers markets and community-based produce boxes, it is most important to prioritize getting fruits and vegetables in your diet rather than going without completely. Focusing on whole foods and having a diet that is plant-forward while optimizing protein will help you meet your daily requirement of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, and it will support longevity.
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