When I was still living in the U.S., I watched our local grocery co-op go from selling a 50-50 mix of organic to non-organic to a 80-20 mix over the course of several years. At the start, the organic was typically 2-3 times as expensive. But, a few years later, the prices were nearly equal on average, with plenty of organic items beating their non-organic cousins. (And yes, the organic prices were getting cheaper, not the other way around.) The store also had a massive increase in their customer base.

So, supply and demand works. And it would work even better if the government would quit subsidizing the large producers, who just happen to be the same people who donate to political campaigns.

Given the more rigorous controls here in Europe, I don't worry about it as much here (although I try to buy organic as much as I can). But, were I to move back to the U.S., I would make quite a few compromises in my budget to eat organic. I have read far too many articles on the topic to ever trust the mainstream U.S. food industry.

Cheers,
Jamie

i second that. i am convinced MY BIKE will kill me, not the food

I don't go out of my way to buy organic, so I voted "no". However, I do try to avoid most processed or prepared foods. I check the labeling and steer away from those items that have a lot of 5-syllable words that remind me of my college chemistry course.

Veggies grew before chemicals and they grow just fine without 'em now.

i try to grow a few of the easier to grow type vegies my self (not always with succes), companion planting helps i.e. tomatoe plants with african marigolds keeps a lot of the pests away.

Remember some of those 5 syllable words may be natural and good for you

Wow, I have read some great replies to this thread. I think it is frustrating to know that the big agriculture companies have such close ties in the government. This leads me to my next point that I think Labeling is a key issue regarding how consumers make choices.
If you saw food that was labeled with the chemicals used on it during its growth, or saw words like "Genetically Modified", I think it would change your food buying habits.

It is really too bad that labeling iniciatives get voted down because of the influence of big business. I also have issues with packaging and the lack of responsibility of companies that will wrap food in as much colorful non-recyclable material as possible just to grab the attention of the consumer. I think these companies should be taxed extra if their product packaging is not recyclable. The money should go to support recycling programs.

I think there is a time when you cannot put all the responsibility on the consumer whose knowledge might be limited in agriculture and packaging issues. The government has a responsibility not to roll over for these companies.

I think we need more consumer education just through labeling of products. Just think about how much you have read the nutritional info on food. And that info is relatively new in the food industry. I think we can go much farther.

I would like to know where my produce has been grown, what was sprayed on it, and how it got to the store in addition to the already required nutritional info. And that is just a start. Sure there is a cost to more labeling, even possibly more packaging, which contradicts my previously stated ideals, but I think the main hesitation to more labeling is shifting consumer habits.

Companies probably realize their flashy advertising and packaging works well on us, and they'd like to keep it that way.


Dave

I like organic apples. You don't have to scrub them with detergent to get the sticky pesticide coating off.

Yeah but you do have to scrub them to keep that nasty ecoli off them

I imagine that organic food is better for the economy than for your health, and for that reason I like it, but I don't eat it with a few exceptions, I prefer non feed lot beef, and I like Nature Sweet tomatos (are these organic?). I don't buy the argument that we have an unsafe food supply, unless you are talking about the obesity it causes. Its funny that people think all natural in intrinsically better than the other stuff, I just don't see it.

Dave, I understand that you have reached Panama but not riding any further.is this true ? why ?

Temp, organic food is better for the enviroment because there is no pollution of the soil and the water resources and usage of harmful chemicals.

But you can grow a lot more in a given area with chemicals than with organic, which would lower environmental impact, erosion etc. Also is it that great to be spreading cow poop all over the place? I'm just skeptical because we all live so long eating this stuff and the environment is cleaner than it has been in decades. I also think it is great organic farmers are bringing more options to the market.

Food is the one thing worth getting quality. I eat it every single day, and I want what goes in to my body to be healthy. The chemicals and additives used in processed foods is just appalling. On top of the personal health issue, chemicals involved in the process of foods are destroying our soil, our rivers, and our air. Yes, almost all of my food is organic.