Organic vs. Conventional Produce
This week, we’re tackling a hot topic: the pros and cons of organic vs conventional produce. As you may know, the issue is very controversial, in part, because it’s very complex. We have to note that we’re barely scratching the surface here, and if you’re interested, we encourage you to keep researching so that you can develop a deeper understanding of the debate behind how we grow our food.
Organic 101
So what makes produce “organic”, anyways? To start, we encourage you to check out the USDA requirements for organic farming and handling.
Now, why the fuss over organic food? The basic principles behind the movement are these:
- Organic farming bans use of most synthetic pesticides, chemicals or fertilizers. Many chemicals used in conventional farming have been shown to be detrimental to human, animal and environmental health. These synthetic substances are sprayed on crops or used in soil, meaning that the food you’re eating may be coated with harmful pesticides, that farmland may be contaminated, and that local streams and waterways may wind up full of these harmful chemicals.
- Organic farming uses crop rotation strategies that are said to maintain soil health and nutrient content, which could mean healthier, more nutritious food.
- Organic farming prohibits use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), which have been a source of controversy since their introduction into large-scale agriculture in the 1990s. GMO farming practices, consumption, seed patents, and the questionable practices of large agricultural companies that rely on GMOs, may pose threats to our health, the environment, local economies and our food supply. For a good summary of the socio-economic concerns behind GMO food production, click here.
Conventional Considerations
Before you rush to Whole Foods (or lament that you can’t afford to), here are a few things to consider about conventional agriculture (by which we mean agriculture that traditionally turns to technology and chemical solutions to solve the numerous issues that come along with growing healthy produce).
- Many feel that organic farming simply doesn’t produce high enough yields to feed our growing world.
- There are many experts who don’t feel that organic farming is always better for the environment or our health, as organic farming uses its own share of pesticides and fungicides. (Check out this article from Oxford University or this great blog post from Scientific American to see some surprising details.)
- There isn’t a ton of consistent evidence indicating that organic produce has a higher nutrient content than conventionally-grown produce (though one large study from Newcastle University last year did yield some strong results in favor of organic produce).
- There are many who point out that GMOs aren’t necessarily all bad. They have potential to lower food prices, help farmers and communities recover from crop diseases, and help our food supply stay steady in the face of global warming.
Lean Local
To us, at least, it’s clear that the organic vs conventional debate isn’t that simple. We’re certainly no experts, and you can bet we’ll be closely following this issue to gain a more in-depth understanding, and to be aware of what the latest research shows. But, in doing our digging for this article, we were relieved to consistently find that there’s one step you can you take to preserve the environment AND ensure that your produce contains high nutrient contents, regardless of whether it’s local or organic: Buy fresh produce that’s grown as close to home as you can. The benefits of buying local are many, and while the organic vs. conventional debate rages on, shopping for homegrown food means you can rest assured that you’re supporting your community and your health.
Disclaimer
While we’re trying our best to understand which foods to buy to keep our bodies, the economy, and the planet healthy and happy, we’re not experts on the topic of agriculture, nor are we members of the scientific community. The purpose of this article is not to persuade readers to take one side or the other, but simply to share what we’ve found in trying to better understand the debate behind organic and conventional agriculture.
