image by BeverlyLR
As new fall produce starts pouring into the local farmer’s markets and onto the shelves of my grocery store, I begin to think—as I often do during the change of season—about the controversy between choosing local produce and choosing organic produce. In an ideal world, produce that is both local and organic would be accessible to all, but that’s not always the case—often, I am forced to make a decision between supporting my local farmers and choosing organic goods.
At first glance, one assumes that buying a nice organic butternut squash from the store is good for both the environment and the body (peace out, pesticides!) However, as in recent years the demand for organics has gone from a niche market to a national demand, Big Organics—large organic farms focusing on high production and shipping—has emerged. Now, this nice fall squash I am eating may be shipped all the way from Ohio or Illinois. Do all those miles logged, fuel used and green house gasses produced to get that farm from point A (huge industrial organic farm) to point B (my market basket) negate the green benefits I get from consuming pesticide free, GM free food? In this case, do I choose the health of my planet or the health of my body?
If I go with the health of my planet, I could choose to support the local farmer, giving money back to my community and by default, refusing to support the factory farms—organic or not—that have transformed the way we grow and consume. Additionally, if I dedicate myself to eating only locally grown produce, I will also be eating seasonally, which is great for my body and the planet.
I have found outlets where I can, during the right seasons, purchase locally grown organic food. But it is not always readily available, and so when forced to make a decision between the organic section of my Whole Foods, and the locally grown farmer, I usually go with locally grown. I feel better putting my money into my community than a national grocery store chain, and I make sure to give my produce a good rinsing before I eat it.
What about you? Where do you stand on local vs. organic? I would love to know.
