Buying Organic

Organic peanut butter. Organic cereal. I often wonder if spending the extra money on an organic product is really worth it. Is it all a big hoax or does it really make a difference? To make that decision, you need to be familiar with the guidelines spelled out by the U. S. Department of Agriculture. Then, you need to decide if their guidelines are strict enough for you and your family.

Did you know that it is considered a federal offense to label a product as organic if it doesn't fit the government's guidelines? To meet those guidelines, each farm producing food destined for the organic label, as well as each facility that processes the food on its way to the market, must first be inspected by a special agency that itself has been government approved.That assures the consumer that the product has been evaluated from the field to the store to ascertain who handles it, exactly how it is grown, who picks it, transports it and packages it.

So what actually makes it organic? The food must be grown without harmful pesticides, herbicides and chemicals. It can't be exposed to certain fertilizers, as well as certain types of radiation. It also can not be produced as a result of bio-engineering. What about land that has been converted from traditional pesticide-based farming to organic methods? Again, the government has determined that the land used for the growing of fruits and vegetables must be free of pesticides and chemical fertilizers for at least 36 months.

Not all organic items we consume are either fruits or vegetables. What about eggs? Meat and poultry? Cheeses and other dairy products? To be organic, these items must be derived from animals that have not received any type of hormones or antibiotics.

Choosing organic products not only protects you from exposure to some of the harmful growth stimulants listed above, it also protects the future of the land. What we don't put in it today will help to create cleaner environments in which to grow the food of tomorrow. If cattle graze on land that is healthier for them, not only will the meat they produce be healthier for us, but the offspring they give birth to will be healthier and stronger as well.

Frankly, I like to take it a step further. My preference is to buy not only organic products, but also local products whenever possible. I live in an area that is criss-crossed by farms that grow a wide range of berries, corn, the usual assortment of vegetables ranging from tomatoes to cucumbers, zucchini and broccoli. Best of all, I live in one of the country's main apple growing regions. The bumper sticker on my car reads, "Local Food...Thousands of Miles Fresher." I like knowing that it hasn't been more than a few days since what I'm putting in my mouth grew in or grazed on the land that surrounds my region.

We probably still have a long way to go in terms of finding non-harmful fertilizers and pesticides. Therefore, just being aware of today's options can only be a good thing. Be a conscientious shopper. That, in turn, allows you to turn your buying power into a vote for a healthier tomorrow.