Why Do You Shop Organic?

[queenofthehivemomof5]

I thought it might be interesting to poll our members on why they shop organic. Please vote!

[kristen.c]

I shop organic for both reasons but mainly for the health reasons.

[Ayanna]

For both reasons equally! Also because organic is the way it's been for oh however long you believe the earth has been around minus ~70 years. Something tells me if humanity survived that long without screwing the earth up with all the nasty chemicals we use today, the old way was probably the right way.

[austinmomto2]

I totally agree with Ayanna and Kristen. I shop organic for both reasons equally. I feel that the more I support (purchase products) from eco-conscious companies, the more innovative, sustainable, and affordable products will be available to consumers with minimal side effects to our Earth. I also want to raise my children to be aware and respectful of their surroundings and the space we share with other living things on this planet.

[derketchup]

For me, it's more health than environment....

[txmomof2boys]

I do it for both, but mainly because it is what I was taught. My great grandmother was "green" before it was ever popular. She was native american, lived in a reservation for a good portion of her life. They didn't have chemical pestisides, or pre-packaged food. She made everything from scratch, and used natural remedies for just about everything.

[Marie78]

I do it for mostly the health reasons :).

[stela]

Originally Posted by queenofthehivemomof5

I thought it might be interesting to poll our members on why they shop organic. Please vote!

Hello queenofthehivemomof5,

I always prefer to buy organic food and grocery for me and my family health. It is allways advisble to buy green organic foods and groceries.

[Kyrthira]

Something that bothers me about a lot of foods these days is the ingredient list. I can't pronounce half the ingredients in some of the food on the shelves these days, but I'm going to eat them anyway? Whatever the food companies say, eating that many preservatives and hydrogenamidiphates and whatever can -not- be good for you.

Conventional farms spray toxic chemicals to rid the fields of weeds and pests. The crops get addicted to the chemicals, and end up -requiring- it to grow properly. This crap ends up in the crops, which we eat. Farm animals have to deal with it getting into the water table and THEIR food, which we occasionally eat as well! Plants that would grow nearby either die out or get warped by the chemicals in the soil and the water ... blah blah blah. It's a huge chain of suck. Who wants to suck on pesticides for lunch?

By buying organic products from farms that don't use harsh chemicals, it creates more demand for it. The more folks that buy organic, the more stores will buy and stock organic foods, and the more profitable it will be for farmers to make the switch.

It's all around a good idea. It may cost more NOW, but I think the results will be around a lot longer.

[Amy Dong]

I shop organic for both reasons but mainly for the health reasons. The health of famliy is more important for me.

[Johanna]

I shop organic - but prefer to shop local, whenever possible. We have a wonderful farmers market, a growing local foods group, and some stores staring to carry locally-made foods where I live. I like knowing where my food comes from, who made it, how it was grown, and especially being able to ask questions of the person who knows it best.

So - while I marked both environment and health with a little more on the environment side - my actual reasons are economic. I want a local trust-based economy, and sadly, I've lost trust in our food supply.

Johanna (I swear I'm not a paranoid.)

[jujubee]

Originally Posted by Johanna

I shop organic - but prefer to shop local, whenever possible. We have a wonderful farmers market, a growing local foods group, and some stores staring to carry locally-made foods where I live. I like knowing where my food comes from, who made it, how it was grown, and especially being able to ask questions of the person who knows it best.

So - while I marked both environment and health with a little more on the environment side - my actual reasons are economic. I want a local trust-based economy, and sadly, I've lost trust in our food supply.

Johanna (I swear I'm not a paranoid.)

It's ok - we're all a little paranoid around here. Welcome to our bunch!

If you have some great buying local tips and stores that you'd like to let our members know about, please post them in your state forum. We're all for trying to get the word out and support local farmers and businesses.

[mmandjsmom]

I really think that what is best for me is best best for the enviornment also. If there aren't the chemicals/ pesticides in my food, they are not in the enviornment also...and vice versa. It seems to be a circle to me. If it is grown locally, it eliminates the polution of transporting it (as far) and is fresher and more nutricous....I have a spelling disorder, I think....or too many kids talking to me.

[hholder]

organic just plain tastes better!

[thinkgreen]

Originally Posted by jujubee

It's ok - we're all a little paranoid around here.

I should fit in just fine then, lol.

I voted both equally because w/out a healthy environment it's very hard to maintain a healthy body.

[jujubee]

Originally Posted by orange

I should fit in just fine then, lol.

I voted both equally because w/out a healthy environment it's very hard to maintain a healthy body.

Welcome to Organic Grocery Deals!

We love all kinds here, so don't be shy!

[OHeather]

Originally Posted by orange

I should fit in just fine then, lol.

I voted both equally because w/out a healthy environment it's very hard to maintain a healthy body.

Welcome! Feel free to add in any comments you have or start a new conversation! We are a friendly bunch.

I think we all should be a little paranoid! It's not a bad thing.

[thinkgreen]

Thanks for the welcome!

[drwonderwoman]

I voted that I shop for both reasons, but mainly for the health of my family. I started making the switch several years ago and I just recently within the last month got my family to finally make a complete switch. It's been quite a lengthy process but so worth it.

I've been studying holistic nutrition for quite some time now, almost done with my Bachelors ~Hooray!!~ and every book I have read has stated one reason or another as to why we should eat natural organic foods and those reasons just makes my skin crawl and my hair curl. Lol.

I look forward to being on this site!

[oldtreehugginhippie]

I shop organic to protect our health. you know, the government allows so much garbage into the food sources now days and say its safe to consume.

I remember when I was a young lady and they came out with a product called saccharin. They said it wouldn't harm you and it was safe as can be. then 10 years after it was on the market and people were dying. they were like, Oh we made a mistake. it causes cancer.

Now I can't count how many times they have done this. So I like to stay on the safe side and eat what I know is healthy for me and not what the government Say's won't hurt me.

that's it in a nutshell. Health, I want my family to live. I don't want to be eating some pesticide on my food that the government said was ok and in 2 years of eating it find out it causes brain tumors.

Kind of like my husband. he has Agent Orange exposure from Vietnam. Yes, they told the guys it was harmless. So harmless that my hubby's buddies where having water gun fights with it. They are dead now.

My hubby loaded it into the planes. He almost died and has serious health problems from it. He is a service connected disabled Veteran.

Now the government that said it was harmless, is saying " if you even stepped you foot off the plane on Vietnam soil" , then you were exposed to Agent Orange. And you wouldn't believe the list of cancers the government says it causes now.

Isn't it odd, one minute it is ok for us and the next minute it isn't. Funny how our government works, isn't it? I think I will chose door "B" Organic foods. that is the only way I know it is safe. I can't trust my government to say it is safe, now can I?

thank you for this post. it is something I have been wanting to get off my chest for many years. It is an important topic. one that should be addressed more often then it is. If the people that eat all those bad foods only knew what we all know. The world would be a better place. we would have less disease too.

[alexia598]

O.t.h.h.: God bless your hubby and you for supporting him. I wish you both well.

[alexia598]

Originally Posted by jujubee

It's ok - we're all a little paranoid around here.

That's right. I'd tell you why we eat organic, but they're watching me type and I am very afraid....

No, really, I chose both equally. The health of the earth has already had an impact on my family. My girls have food allergies, asthma, one has mild autism, and one has seizure disorder. As the health of our planet sinks, these issues have been on the rise in children. We're out of balance, and by eating organic and choosing organic products (as I can afford them, mind you), in addition to developing earth-conscious habits, I feel I am contributing in my small way to restoring some sort of equilibrium.

Welcome Johanna!

[oldtreehugginhippie]

I am such an environmentalist also. I got off on a rampage about the food that I forgot about everything else important to me. You see the pesticides run off into the water and food supply and ruin everything. the Eco system is messed up when the water supply gets tainted with pesticides. the water in turn kills animals and causes deformities in their babies. It also gets into the food supply and causes deformities. and then we eat and drink it and god only Knows what it is doing to us. So I pick health and environment equally.

[frugalmegan]

I said both, but mostly health reasons. I also would like to add, it is important to me to support the local economy and local farmers. What I can't get organic and local, I will at least buy locally before I buy organics from the grocery. Local is more nutrient dense (even organics can be picked "green")!

[IFALLSMICHELLE]

I voted equally for the environment and health. I think before having kids I would have voted more for the environment. I have always loved nature and it makes me sick to see what people have done to degrade our natural environment.

[wyo-helpmeet]

" I shop organic for both reasons but mainly for the health reasons."

We started a traditional foods diet in January & the impact has been absolutely AWESOME!!!

[wyo-helpmeet]

Originally Posted by jujubee

It's ok - we're all a little paranoid around here.

It's not paranoia if they REALLY ARE out to get you

[wealthybarney]

The original reason was to regain my health. Now I see the much bigger picture. Oh, how I desire to have my own organic garden & are so happy for those who can. We live in a 3rd floor Apt without a lanai, but thanks to couponing, we will soon have our own land again to plant.

[Frugal Cook]

I put health reasons. But, like Johanna it's also economic in that I try and purchase as much from local sources as I can. And to be honest, it's a mix of organic and not. Right now I'm concentrating on my fresh produce and eggs.

And like wyo-helpmeet, I am switching to a Traditional Foods diet.

[Berkley69]

I shop organic for both reasons but mainly for the health reasons.

[cityhopper]

I shop organic for both reasons equally but originally it started from the health perspective.

To add a third reason, I want to support local, regional, and non-corporate farmers/vendors as much as possible. I want to put my dollar where others belief is surrounded by responsible practices.

When I own my own home, having yard space is essential as I hope to maintain my own garden.