Thread: Organic vs. Not

Buying organic food just takes away money that can be better spent on things like beer and scotch, but i do support the local farmers in the summer months,the native NH peaches are to die for!!!

As soon as I can tell by looking what is "organic" and what is not, then I'll buy organic...

Really are there federal standards? or just whatever you choose to call organic?

we buy organic, are apart of a csa and buy grass fed beef when possible. also watched food inc (own it) hulu.com has a movie called "the future of food" interesting flick. i didn't want to start out the thread all preachy so it was just a poll. (ps got a 24 pound box of organic local peaches for $26 at our csa today, score!)

jt

there are standards. If it is organic it cannot be what is called "Genetically Modified Organism" type food, it can only use certain pesticides, and some other rules (not sure all of them). "The future of food" film is a great free one to watch on genetically modified foods. (Hulu - The Future Of Food - Watch the full feature film now.).

In terms of looks the only real thing you will notice is that most organic foods are smaller than "traditional" foods, they will taste the same, however will not have any pesticide residue on them. (Omnivore's Dilemma is a good book on this subject).

The most noticeable you will find on food is if you buy it locally grown. Being apart of a CSA this summer has really shown me the difference in buy local food verses food in the super market (we still buy some stuff in the super markets). Most local stuff will be richer in color, much tastier, but will not last as long in your fridge. Farm fresh eggs taste, in my opinion, out of this world in comparison to super market eggs.

Really don't mean to be preachy in anyway on this, just wanted to explain the difference. You can PM me if you have any more questions (I love the topic).

JT

Originally Posted by jeffegg2

As soon as I can tell by looking what is "organic" and what is not, then I'll buy organic...

Really are there federal standards? or just whatever you choose to call organic?

I can't tell by looking, but I can often tell by scent; organic fruit will make your stomach growl it has such a strong smell. I find this is especially true of berries, apples, and tomatoes.

Utopian: I hear you! I grew up in the city, but my parents had a couple of HUGE gardens behind a pair of rental properties that fed us most of the year. Our meet was all white-tail deer and elk growing up...I really miss that now, but we're renting a house with a tiny back yard, and I never learned to shoot worth a damn.

We try to buy Organic as much as possible and if available. Including products such as soaps, shampoos, etc. Once in a while I also try to get my hand on an organic shave soap.

I don't go out of my way for organic stuff. I eat plenty of it but it really doesn't matter to me if it is organic or not.

All of the venison, rabbit, squirrel, pheasant, duck, fish, etc. that I eat could be called free range organic, I suppose.

Originally Posted by nun2sharp

If I could afford it I would buy nothing but organic.

+1 here. The wife couldn't be bothered though...Many arguments and my being banned from shopping, even though I could come in $50 under her spending and bring home about 60% organic food. I guess my not buying junk food was a sticking point for her as well. I don't eat the stuff.


Mick

We buy organic foods if they are locally produced. 'Local' is the point, even if not always organic. Supporting local producers is important; no matter where you live.
Some of our food we take from our own garden: potatoes, carrots, some vegetables and berries: blackberries, sea buckthorns, gooseberries, rapsberries, rhubarbs etc.

I buy some things organic and some not.

TBH I have a bit of a problem with organic food as having "Organic" written on the container seems to shift the decimal point on the price tag over to the right...

I'd buy it a lot more often if retailers didnt use it as an opportunity to take the mickey with the prices. I have no objection to paying a little more for it, but two or three times the non-organic range (for some things) is too much IMO.