Why You're Better Off Buying Local Than Organic

re: Why You're Better Off Buying Local Than Organic

Eco Caters — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 22:13:51 GMT

I believe that you should try to buy organic AND local whenever possible. It seems pointless to buy local produce that is not organic. /.

When going to the farmers markets it is more important that the produce is grown organically rather than it actually being certified organic so ask the farmer if it is pesticide free to find out what is ok to buy. Growing your own produce is another great way to get organic food and that is obviously as local as it gets!

re: Why You're Better Off Buying Local Than Organic

vegemite — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 20:41:40 GMT

Food miles don't feed climate change - meat does.

That locally-produced, free-range, organic hamburger might not be as green as you think.

An analysis of the environmental toll of food production
concludes that transportation is a mere drop in the carbon bucket.
Foods such as beef and dairy make a far deeper impression on a
consumer's carbon footprint.

Read the full article here:

environment.newscientist.com/.../dn13741-food-miles-dont-feed-climate-change--meat-does.html

re: Why You're Better Off Buying Local Than Organic

mambotangoguy — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 20:32:51 GMT

You seem to ignore that most local producers use artificial fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides and more. One purpose of eating organic is that the food should be free of these contaminants. When I see huge sized produce at local markets I can only imagine the chemicals that were used to make this 'local' produce so big and beautiful. Another purpose of eating organic is to vote for organic farming with your dollars. It is a dilemma that much off-season organic food comes from areas in the world that are not off-season. The long term solution seems to be the conversion of local growers to organic, to somehow overcome the problems therein.

re: Why You're Better Off Buying Local Than Organic

nyjessi — Sun, 09 Sep 2007 14:39:06 GMT

I find this article disturbing! I only eat organic food, I have chemical sensitivities and I hope that by encouraging as many people as possible to eat organic that will send a message to the local growers to farm organically. Conventional spinach and strawberries are said to be so full of chemicals its better to not eat them at all. When I eat strawberries that are non-organic I actually break out in a rash! These chemicals are harming our bodies, I try to buy local organic foods whenever possible, but most of the foods I find at the farmers markets taste terrible...once you are used to eating organic foods, you can taste the pesticides even if you wash them off. I think that all of the chemicals they are spraying on our foods are polluting our environment far worse than the fuel it takes to transport them. We are far behind other countries in environmental conservation, but eating non-organic food isn't what is going to help....growing local organic when possible, recycling, hybrid vehicles, elimination on unnatural chemicals to clean with will make a major difference!

re: Why You're Better Off Buying Local Than Organic

pom-mom — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 01:09:15 GMT

Regarding the comment about washing produce in vinegar to remove pesticides: When food is grown with chemical fertilizers and pesticides, these things do not remain only on the outside of the food. It's thru and thru. It cannot be "washed away".

re: Why You're Better Off Buying Local Than Organic

barbic1953 — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 11:25:59 GMT

I believe we get what we pay for. If you don't support and encourage organic then there is no incentive for the farmer to grow it. Unfortunately, the almighty dollarr rules. I agree that, as much as possible, buy local. At the farmers market talk to the grower and encourage them to , not necessarily become certified organic but practice growing organic and even better biodynamically and planting the old fashioned heirloom varieties. The health of the soil is just as important as the seeds and the farming practices. If the soil isn't healthy then the cascade effect of the produce not having a high brix reading, the plants becoming sickly and prone to pests. Again,it is difficult to make the change over to biodynamic, crop rotating, etc. The soil will not be healthy for many years. This is where the will and the greater common good has to be your goal. We have forgotten that taste and quality is more important than looks. There's nothing like tasting a tomato fresh off the vine but I must say that I long for the taste and parfume of a tomato like I knew as a child. I am 54 years old. I am lucky I live in Virginia with a longer growing season but we've lost the will to do the hard work and plan to do the best thing as opposed to doing the most convenient thing. Also, I am a consiracy theorist, by that I mean that I believe that whoever controls the food controls you!

re: Why You're Better Off Buying Local Than Organic

shekwan — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 02:16:26 GMT

Seems to me that farmer's markets are on par price wise with Whole Foods, sometimes WF does better on the price (OG tomatoes at WF 2.99 vs farmer's market at 3.95). At least here.

The CSA is probably the best option, which means you have to sign up if there are spaces left, perhaps sometimes pay in advance for the whole year ($1000 give or take sliding scales).

I am concerned about the synthetic, chemical fertilizers. The food tastes different, it feels different in your stomach. Organic food "feels" good. Before, during, and after the actual consumption of it. Local organic is environmentally better, but I still fail to see how I should pay more for it at the local farmer's market buying directly from the farmer. I save money buy OG at WF, but love to support the local OG farmers whenever I can.

This isn't 100% the way to go, because I can "feel" the difference with enough artificially-fertilized (but no-spray) local foods. In the pit of my stomach. An occasional no-spray mixed in amongst organics is no big deal, but when you have the majority of the stuff being convetional, even if it's "no spray", my stomach lets me know what I've done. Call me spoiled, but I can tell the difference.

Now -- if you can get to know the local organic farmers, call them up on the phone, drive out to the farm and hand them a decent amount of cash,
you'll get the deal of a lifetime. I've done this, and it is far the best way to go,
if the CSA's are sold out or whatever.

But organic, biodynamic, or organic but not certified. Get to know your farmer, know how they do it. Certification can be lots of paperwork, and some folks may choose to forgo it, but explain their methods.

re: Why You're Better Off Buying Local Than Organic

tragedyofcommons — Tue, 26 Jun 2007 01:28:03 GMT

Press Release
For Immediate Release
Organic Consumers Association, 6/22/2007
Straight to the Source

CONTACT: Ronnie Cummins 218-226-4164 June 22, 2007

Despite receiving more than ten thousand comments from consumers and family farmers opposing various aspects of a late May 2007 proposal, the USDA has approved a rule that will allow 38 new non-organic ingredients to be allowed in products bearing the "USDA Organic" seal. But the agency says this may just be interim approval, and has offered to extend the public comment period another 60 days (the original public comment period was only 7 days). Take action and send a letter to the USDA here.

The Organic Consumers Association filed a petition during the USDA's short seven-day comment period on the issue outlining various problems with some of the proposed ingredients (read full petition here: http://www.organicconsumers.org/articles/article_5225.cfm). The USDA is required to post all such incoming comments online, and 99% of the comments currently posted there show the public opposes the passage of this proposal.

The USDA's passage of this proposal has resulted in the following:

-Anheuser Busch will be allowed to sell its "Organic Wild Hops Beer" without using any organic hops at all.

-Sausages, brats, and breakfast links labeled as "USDA Organic" are now allowed to contain intestines from factory farmed animals raised on chemically grown feed, synthetic hormones, and antibiotics.

-Products labeled as "USDA Organic" and containing fish oil may contain toxi

re: Why You're Better Off Buying Local Than Organic

kelann — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 15:52:31 GMT

I purchase almost exclusively organic, and I am often not overly impressed with a lot of it, as it is can sometimes be pretty old looking (although sometimes it's great, too). Notwithstanding the less than perfect quality of organics, I still wouldn't buy anything local unless it's organic (which none of it is). I'm even offended seeing local produce at my "health food" store. Supporting pesticides, herbicides & fungicides in my area is something I simply refuse to do and think a health food store should also refuse to do. If the farms go organic, however, nothing would make me happie than to buy local. Otherwise, I see buying local as a way of supporting farmers who are content to damage the land, air, water and citizens in their very own community just so they can save a little labor. ** Rant ended. ** Thank you.

re: Why You're Better Off Buying Local Than Organic

sisterolivia — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 08:00:01 GMT

This is a tough call. I'm fortunate enough to have a local organic coop, and we should be getting a Wild Oats in a few months, just a mile or so from home. The local organic coop can't seem to get any local organic produce for love or money, as weather and bugs have thwarted a few small holdings. So now I realize that they only really productive local family farm left, which has a farmstand in our area, should be encouraged to stay in business (while at the same time feeding them with all the information I can to encourage them to switch over to organic in ways that still keeps a roof over their head). I don't need any more toxins, myself, but at least I can talk to the farmer's son-in-law about the best veggies and the pest time periods to buy in to minimize my exposure to toxins.

re: Why You're Better Off Buying Local Than Organic

N. C. — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 01:11:17 GMT

If its pesticides or no pesticides then I will go with no pesticides, period.

re: Why You're Better Off Buying Local Than Organic

moo_203 — Sun, 24 Jun 2007 18:55:01 GMT

i can't believe this! i will buy organic if its available and i have a choice! i'm all for supporting the local farmer but not at the expense of my health.

re: Why You're Better Off Buying Local Than Organic

jmn — Sun, 24 Jun 2007 18:00:02 GMT

What a short sighted narrowly analyzed article. I have no idea why Mercola would promote this. Am I going to feed my child pesticide laced grapes produced five miles from my house or organic grapes from halfway around the world? I am going to feed my child the organic grapes everytime. I am never going to promote or support pesticide laced foods as Mercola has just inadvertently done. This study fails to take into account the destrcutive aspects of pesticide and fertilizer use on soils and waterways.

As for the person who won't eat vegetables because of blindguru.com, there is more fictioon on the blindguru site than in the Star Wars movies.

re: Why You're Better Off Buying Local Than Organic

gigi — Sun, 24 Jun 2007 03:51:05 GMT

I find this information quite disturbing. What about the toxic pesticides and chemical fertilizers used to produce the local produce? What is more damaging to the body - to ingest these chemicals or to worry about transportation costs?
It is not always easy for someone in an urban environment to find local, organic farmers....or even to know that the supermarket is stocking "local" produce. At least if it is certified organic - we know it was grown without chemical fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides - or treated with radiation.

For someone who advocates a healthy lifestyle I am truly surprised at this article.

re: Why You're Better Off Buying Local Than Organic

John Taylor — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 23:23:34 GMT

A totally false and misleading conclusion from this article. A Food mile is not the same as carbon or environmental footprint. Locally grown intensively farmed produce has such a high carbon and environmental foot print that it negates the travel impact of organically grown produce.
New Zealand [where I come from] can produce food in such a low environmental/energy/carbon impact manner that transporting it to Europe [half a world away] still has less an impact on the environment than the intensive produce grown locally over there. Most of the produce sent to europe from here is still farmed in a so called conventional manner. So! if you add in the lesser environmental impact of organic and you can surmise that organic from anywhere is better than "conventional' from nearby. "BUY ORGANIC - OR GROW YOUR OWN"