Making the decision to go organic is one that will positively impact and affect your overall health. The National Organic Program (NOP), is directly accredited by the USDA. The NOP regulates and sets standards for all organic produce. These standards must be met in order for vegetables to be sold and distributed to the public, the Mayo Clinic explains. While organic vegetables have many benefits, there can also be some drawbacks to finding and buying vegetables that are grown and handled naturally.
Growing and Processing
One of the benefits or pros that most consumers find with organic vegetables and produce his that they are produced, harvested, processed and handled without the use of pesticides, fertilizers or other synthetic substances. This means that the soil that vegetables are grown in does not contain any artificial weed killer or growth hormones. Many reports indicate that chemicals and hormones added to soil and seeds can wind up in what we consume; this has been known to contribute to certain diseases such as cancer.
The USDA indicates that their labeling standards are part of the percentage of organic ingredients or handling pertaining to each product. In order to qualify as organic and get the "100 percent USDA organic" seal of approval, vegetables must have met the government's criteria by 100 percent. Vegetables will get a label of "organic" if they are only 95 percent within standards and anything less than that will get a sticker of "made with organic" ingredients. All farmers who produce organic vegetables have to follow strict guidelines and track and report all of their growing and harvesting times.
While it is beneficial that plants are derived from nutrient-rich soil that may come from organic matter, there is a larger risk that you may find more bugs or critters inside or around the outside of the vegetable. This is because organic vegetables are not sprayed with pesticides and chemicals that would normally kill or prevent the invasion of insects that may attack the outside or inside of the vegetable.
Availability
If you are seeking to purchase organic vegetables you can generally find a small selection in the fruit and vegetable area of your local grocery store or market. Another drawback is that there may be minimal amounts of vegetables to choose from. This is because they are brought in from farms that have contracted with the grocer. This can be discouraging if you live in the city and are unable to get to a farmers market because the selection is often very small. If you live in the country or have access to a farmer's market organic farm nearby you can generally have the option of finding a better variety and selection of just-picked produce. If you live near a large metropolitan area you can find your nearest health food market which sells high-quality organic and natural products in a commercial setting.
Cost
Organic vegetables can be costly, especially when purchased in a grocery store. The reason for this may be retail markup. Organic food is often more expensive because more manual labor may have to go into its growth and production. Gardens may be weeded by hand and crops may be smaller due to a lack of using pesticides and growth hormone. You can find a true cost savings if you are able to visit an organic farm and buy your vegetables at the farm or pick them yourself. Local Harvest recommends purchasing local organic vegetables directly from the farm because it boosts the local economy and helps smaller family farmers maintain their business.
Member Comments