04/24/2026
4 Truths ✅ and a Lie: 🤥 Organic
We hear it all the time: “Buy organic! It's the right thing to do!” But is it, really?
As with seemingly everything else these days, it can be hard to know the right choices to make. There's a lot of information available and a lot of people telling us what's best (and on the flipside, hiding what isn't best). Here's a breakdown of what's true and what's not when it comes to buying organic.
What Does "Organic" Actually Mean?
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), an organic label "indicates that the food or other agricultural product has been produced through approved methods." These methods include the protection of natural resources, conserving biodiversity and using only approved substances.
This means no genetic engineering, antibiotics, growth hormones or other prohibited feed ingredients. It also means that organic livestock must be raised according to animal health and welfare standards.
Here are four truths ✅ and a lie 🤥 to consider when you are buying organic.
✅ Truth #1: Not All Organic Labels Are Created Equal
When buying organic, it's important to read the label carefully. The USDA organic symbol typically found on single-ingredient foods, such as fresh produce and dairy products, indicates that the product is at least 95 percent organic. As for multiple-ingredient foods, an "organic" product is 95-99 percent organic and products "made with organic ingredients" are 70-94 percent organic. Products that are 100 percent organic will be labeled as such.
✅ Truth #2: Organic Food Is More Expensive
It's hard to argue against the fact that organic food is more expensive, but perhaps it's simply the cost of eating well. You wouldn't expect to pay the same amount at a five-star restaurant as you would at a fast-food chain. Organic farming costs more, therefore, so do the products.
✅ Truth #3: It's Best to Buy Locally
How do you feel after a long day of traveling? Being moved around and exposed to different temperatures doesn't do a whole lot of good to produce, either.
Buying locally and in-season is not only (usually) much cheaper, but it's also more eco-friendly. Shipping foods from California to New York — even if they are organic — can have a significant impact on the environment.
✅ Truth #4: Buying Organic Benefits the Environment
In order to keep up with demand, conventional farmers must use a lot of non-renewable resources, chemicals and land. Organic farming, on the other hand, aims to produce a number of crops, without the use of synthetic chemicals or fertilizers, while enhancing soil composition and promoting biodiversity. Thus, buying organic punishes pollution and promotes sustainability. It's as simple as that.
🤥 Lie: Natural Means Organic
Don't confuse the word "natural" with organic. "Natural" simply means that the food doesn't contain any additives or preservatives. But they could still have been genetically-modified or grown with pesticides.
