Time to Go Organic: Switching Considerations

Organic is good. No, organic is better.

Much debate surrounds the benefits of going organic, with naysayers debunking the nutritional advantage of organic products. However, they cannot deny the advantages of eating food with less harmful chemicals. Organic crops and livestock raised according to the most stringent of organic production standards are indeed free from (or less exposed to) synthetic pesticides, chemical preservatives, growth-inducing hormones, and antibiotics.

So yes, if you can, you’re better off switching to organic. The availability of organic stores and supermarkets, some with ready-to-eat meals made only with organic ingredients, should make the shift easier.

What Organic Means

The organic label can apply to fruits, vegetables, root crops, dairy, white meat, red meat, fish, shellfish, all other animal-derived and plant-based products, and even processed food. Switching to organic means consciously choosing foods cultivated without synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, antibiotics, and other synthetic chemicals and satisfying a few other requirements, depending on the organic regulations and standards you’re following.

Note: There are several organic standards in the world, typically set by each country, a group of countries, or a regulatory body. USDA organic, for instance (USDA stands for the U.S. Department of Agriculture), refers to crops, livestock and products grown or made according to USDA organic regulations. The European Union (EU), Canada, Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Mexico, China, Brazil, South Korea, India, and Peru are some of the entities with their own organic regulations and certification standards.

Are You Ready to Go Organic?

Why switch to organic? It’s because organic is good for you. Having fewer synthetic pesticides, hormones, antibiotics, and chemical preservatives is surely better than having more of them.

That said, there are a few factors to consider when deciding to make the switch.

1. Cost

It’s important to acknowledge that organic foods typically have a higher price tag. They cost more to farm, especially since farmers must comply with tighter government regulations. Organic farming also usually leads to lower crop yields.

Before you switch, accept that your groceries may start costing more. Of course, this cost increase is a worthwhile investment in your health and the sustainability of the environment. However, the higher price of organic goods can still be a barrier to sustaining your organic journey.

Thus, you must be prepared to be more creative with your dishes and the use of your ingredients. You may even consider growing some of your produce. You’ll still rely on your organic supermarket for most of your consumables, but not having to buy some of them can help lower your costs.

2. Label Literacy

There’s also the matter of label literacy. It is a fact that some manufacturers play fast and loose with the organic designation. These unscrupulous producers use the term on their products even if they do not really satisfy the requirements of established organic standards. Therefore, if you’re not careful, you could fall victim to unethical labeling and marketing practices and buy products you deemed were organic even though they truly weren’t.

Therefore, when you switch to an organic lifestyle, understanding organic labels is crucial. In many countries, for an item to be labeled “organic,” it must meet specific standards set by government bodies. Learning to read and comprehend these labels ensures you make informed choices about your organic purchases.

Important note: Choose your organic store carefully. A true organic supermarket will carry only products that have been certified organic as per established organic production and organic food processing standards. For instance, their USDA organic apples, broccoli, and beets will have been grown on soil that has had no forbidden substances applied to it for at least three years before the harvest date.

Organic Foods and Café is an example of a supermarket that carries only truly organic products. They get their produce directly from family-run farms. The brands they carry, meanwhile, are certified according to established organic standards. The supermarket chain is also annually audited and certified by Ecocert Germany according to EU standards, and this should assure you that it carefully curates all the ingredients, produce, and other products it carries and sells.

3. Availability and Accessibility

Availability is also an important factor. You may be willing to shift to organic, but do you have easy access to organic products?

It would be great if you had your own garden where you could plant vegetables and fruit-bearing trees that you can care for according to organic standards and regulations. This would ensure you would have a steady supply of some fruits and vegetables, at least.

Of course, that won’t be enough. Some vegetables and fruits you like, you will be unable to grow in your backyard. You will also need chickens (and eggs), fish, seafood, and other plant and animal products. What about your crackers, breads, beverages, and other things you may need to use or want to eat?

Therefore, consider switching to organic only if you have a ready source of organic produce and products, whether it be an online or neighborhood supermarket. It would be so much better if a store nearby prepares ready-to-eat organic salads, sandwiches, and other types of food items that will make going organic easier and require less effort.

To Switch or Not to Switch

Should you go organic? Definitely. Organic is better because you ingest less harmful chemicals. However, going organic is a commitment, so consider cost and availability factors and make sure you learn about organic labeling standards before you switch.

Image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay