Green Life : The Great Organic Produce Debate

While I was casually making dinner last night my ears perked up when the woman on the radio mentioned an upcoming story about organic produce. I wondered what it would be about. When the story finally began, I was so sad to hear that, yet again, folks are debating the nutritional value of organic produce versus conventionally grown produce. Really? Haven’t we all heard this debate before? 

So, here is my 2 cents, for what it’s worth. I gathered that the latest research (Stanford study) indicates that organic produce is not significantly more nutritious than conventional produce. The results of this research lead the reporter to ask, if it isn’t more nutritious, is it really worth more money? Is it really worth purchasing? The simple answer is, yes!

When our family embarked on our transition to organic produce, many years ago, it honestly had nothing to do with nutrition. Our decision had everything to do with the fundamental belief that growing and eating organic produce is good for our bodies and our environment. At the time we had a young child and what we were suddenly examining what we were eating with a more critical eye. We were looking at how our food was grown, how was the livestock we eat raised and how were the workers impacted by their work.

Which begs the question, what is organic produce anyway? The standards that must be met by organic farms varies by country. However, I found this great breakdown of the principles behind organic farming at the Canadian Organic Growers website.

1. Protect the environment, minimize soil degradation and erosion, decrease pollution, optimize biological productivity and promote a sound state of health.

2. Maintain long term soil fertility by optimizing conditions for biological activity within the soil.

3. Maintain biological diversity within the system.

4. Recycle materials and resources to the greatest extent possible within the enterprise.

5. Provide attentive care that promotes the health and meets the behavioural needs of livestock.

6. Prepare organic products, emphasizing careful processing, and handling methods in order to maintain the organic integrity and vital qualities of the products at all stages of production.

7. Rely on renewable resources in locally organized agricultural systems.

The truth behind the cost of organic produce is not a very big mystery. It costs more to grow produce and livestock in these conditions, the cost of production is simply higher. Is the benefit to our environment worth that extra cost? We believe so.

Did the latest study state that organic produce is less nutritious than conventionally farmed food? Nope. Is it possible for society to make the fundamentally better choice?  In our home, we try our best. We are trying to build a better world for our children. We are trying to support farmers who grow food in a safe way. Safer for my kids, safer for our groundwater, safer for our birds, safer for our bees, safer for our livestock, safer for those who grow the food, safer for those who harvest our food, safer. 

Still unsure about purchasing organic? Check out this simple and informative video from an organic farmer and Co-Founder of Organic Meadow Cooperative Dairy.