To buy organic or not to buy organic? That is the question. Will your organic kale be healthier, more tasty, and pesticide-free? Apparently, the answer is a resounding no. And, according to a a new report by Quartz, spending extra cash on anything "organic" isn't worth it—at all.
On average, the price tag on organic produce is 47 percent higher than that of conventional produce. According to Consumer Reports, the cost of organic produce is typically marked up by 29 to 32 percent, even though a 5 to 7 percent markup would be enough for farmers to break even. And an analysis from the USDA backs this up, too, confirming that these disparaging price points mean that consumers willingly pay more for the "organic" label—even when it's unclear to them what that label actually stands for.
To be frank, an organic label has basically become synonymous with luxury. And it certainly doesn't mean your food is fertilizer-free: Farmers of organic produce don't opt out of using pesticides and fertilizers. Instead, they use natural options which have yet to check out as risk-free for consumption. In fact, a 2010 study conducted by the University of Feulph found some organic pesticides to be more harmful to the environment than conventional ones.
Studies have also found that the difference in the nutritional value of organic versus standard produce is nonexistent. A 2009 study conducted by the American Society for Nutrition revealed that satisfactory-quality crops contained no difference in 8 of 11 nutrient categories, including vitamin C, magnesium, potassium, calcium, and zinc. By 2014, studies found higher phosphorous levels and higher antioxidant levels and lower cadmium levels in organic food, but that's it.
This is because the USDA organic certification applies to how food is grown, raised, and processed. It has nothing to do with nutritional value. So while you think those pricey fruits are better for you, it's actually not the case.
And it's useless to expect anything extra in the flavor department, too. Taste depends on too many variables for the organic factor to contribute much. For both conventional and organic produce, flavors can range from tasteless dirt to crisp and sweet.
Ironically, organic farming can actually be worse for the environment. With the demand for organic production continually jumping, it now requires heavy machinery to be harvested in bulk. This, combined with the overall lower crop yield (compared to conventional farming), creates more greenhouse gases than conventional farming.
To top it all off, organic farms don't treat or pay their workers any better than those regular farms do. Just because the farm runs organically doesn't mean farmhands aren't exploited—from not meeting minimum wage to sexual discrimination, according to a recent Grist story.And, sadly, there's nothing about labor and workers' rights in the USDA's organic certification requirements.
So what are you to do? If you have the choice, stop by your local farmers market for local, small-farm options. Otherwise, just do what's best for your budget. Either way, don't buy organic just to feel better about what you're eating and the money you're spending on food.
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