Organic Foods 101
What buying organic really means and why it's worth it
Why should I buy organic food?
Organic food can be better for your family, the planet and your tastebuds.
While the USDA makes no claim that organic food is "safer or more nutritious" than conventional food, many people like the reassurance that their food never was treated by pesticides. As with all produce, you should handle organic foods as you would conventional foods — washing and/or peeling as necessary.
Because of the negative effect non-organic farming can have on soil and water systems, organic food is generally considered better for the earth, though there is some debate regarding this claim. Large-scale, non-organic farms contend that their operations are more efficient than smaller operations and the chemicals used are safe, while advocates for organic farming say small farms (where organics are traditionally produced) have better working conditions. There's some ambiguity here, but organic farmers, according to the USDA, must "emphasize the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future generations."
Finally, anecdotal evidence that organic food tastes better has been confirmed by research: A Washington State University study found that organic apples were sweeter and had better texture and firmness than their conventionally grown counterparts.
