Organic Vs. Conventional Produce

Organic vs. Conventional Produce

We have been approached by several people asking similar questions about organic produce vs. conventional produce. Questions such as:

• What makes a crop organic?

• Why does organic produce cost more than conventional produce?

• Is organic produce safe?

• Etc….

Today we will try to answer those questions and welcome any other questions around organic vs conventional produce. Any questions that we cannot answer, we will seek other experts advice.

The word “organic” refers to the way farmers grow and process agricultural products such as fruits, vegetables, dairy, and meats. In this particular post about organic crops, we are specifically referring to fruits and vegetables only. Organic farmers use special methods, different from conventional methods, to fertilize and control weeds. Examples of organic methods include using natural fertilizers in order to feed the soil and crop rotation in order to manage weeds.

There are several ways to identify organic food in your local supermarket or produce store. Below is a list:

• 100% Organic

• Products that are completely organic, such as fruits, vegetables, or other single ingredient foods

• Organic

• For products that contain more than one ingredient, at least 95% must be organic materials and the remaining ingredients must be approved by USDA

• Made with Organic Ingredients

• For products that contain more than one ingredient, at least 70% must be organic materials; however, an organic seal cannot be used. The organic ingredients can be displayed on the label

• Non Organic

• For products that contain more than one ingredient, if it contains less than 70% of organic ingredients then neither an organic label nor USDA seal can be used

Other Factors To Consider:

When considering organic vs. conventional produce, there are several other factors to take into account. These include, but not limited to, cost, taste =, and pesticides. Organic produce will typically cost more than conventional produce due to the use of more expensive farming methods and stricter government regulations. Other factors could affect the cost as well. When it comes to pesticides, many conventional growers use pesticides to protect their crops from insects; however, that does not mean organic produce doesn’t contain ANY pesticides. Organic produce is known to carry fewer pesticides; however, these are natural pesticides such as those found in flowers. Research has shown that conventional farmers spray herbicides and pesticides on crops in order to protect them; however, there is a growing concern that these sprayed pesticides directly causes a significant number of cancers and damage to the body’s detoxification system.

Below is a brief summary of some of the differences between organic and conventional produce.

Conventional produce

1. Applies chemical fertilizers to promote plant growth

2. Spray insecticides to reduce pest and disease

3. Use chemical herbicides to manage weeds

Organic Produce

1. Apply natural fertilizers, such as compost, to feed soil and plants

2. Use insects, birds, or traps to reduce pest and disease

3. Rotate crops or mulch to manage weeds

*insecticides = chemical used to kill insects and insect eggs

*herbicides = a substance that is toxic to plants and is used to destroy unwanted vegetation

In summary, we encourage everyone to purchase organic produce versus conventional produce. We understand the growing concern of organic produce being more expensive than conventional produce; however, consider the amount of pesticides, chemicals, and doctor visits you could avoid just by purchasing organic crops.

Thank you for reading and please be sure to leave a comment on our contact page.

Disclaimer

This post is for enlightenment purposes only and should not be used as a replacement for professional evaluations and treatments. Remember to always consult your doctor or healthcare provider before making any health-related decisions

References

Murray, Michael T, 2013. The Complete Book of Juicing:

Your Delicious Guide to Youthful Vitality

Organic Vs. Non Organic

district.schoolnutritionandfitness.com/lasvirgenesusd/files/Nutrition.../Organic_vs.pdf