Before You Go Organic: Guest Post from Mom Expert Jill of AlexCaseyBaby.com

Today’s guest post by Mom Expert Jill of AlexCaseyBaby.com is a hot topic.  Thankfully, she offers a fresh yet practical perspective.

I am in learning mode.  I am in a place where I want to absorb new information, embrace what I choose and respectfully discard the rest.  In the interim, I want to disseminate what I deem important. 
Recently I was reading about organic foods and trying to make sense of fact from fiction.  I was a bit surprised to learn that eating organic is NOT always better.

Here are a few things I learned:

•    Locally grown does not always mean organic.  While it’s possible the fruits & veggies at your neighborhood farm stand were grown using no icky pesticides, to be certified organic, the farmers must go through a lengthy and expensive certification process.  I will say though, locally grown is easier on the palette and the pocketbook.

•    Don’t bother paying more for organic in these departments: bananas, kiwi, mangoes, papaya, pineapple, asparagus, avocado, broccoli, cauliflower, corn, onion, sweet peas, and seafood.  These foods carry far less pesticide residue than others.  Know that there is no certification for organic seafood.

•    Organic is better for the environment.  Not necessarily 100% true.  Organic farming uses a lot more land to produce than conventional farming which means we’d need to cut down a lot more forests to accommodate should we go totally organic.  On the flip-side, it doesn’t pollute the ground with nasty chemicals and pesticides, and organic farms use less energy and produce less waste than conventional.

•    It is yummier.  Apparently not.  Studies show that the tastiest foods are those that are locally grown since they spend little to no time traveling and are not sprayed and/or waxed to lengthen shelf life.

•    It is cleaner.  Two words: WASH EVERYTHING.

•    It is healthier. Not if the chips are fried and the cookies are sugary!  However, it was reported by The Organic Center, which promotes organic food, that organic food is on average 25% more nutritious than conventional food.

•    You’re lending support to small businesses by buying organic.  Here’s what I learned: General Mills owns the Cascadian Farms brand, Kraft owns Back to Nature and Boca Burger, and Kellogg’s owns Morningstar Farms.  Need I say more?

While there are still items that I will continue to buy in the organic section (milk for the kids, baby food

and most fruits and veggies), I’m thrilled that my local farm is within walking distance from my house.  At 10 - 40% more expensive than conventional food, I will now be smarter about what I choose to shell out for, and stick with the status quo wherever it makes sense. 

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