Americans Go Organic

By Holly Ames/Medstar

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Published: Wed, September 26, 2007 - 3:05 pm
Last Updated: Wed, September 26, 2007 - 3:13 pm

American consumers spent 15 billion dollars in 2004 on organic foods and experts say that amount could be double by 2009. And the reason my not be just for the health of it.

If you've ever compared the price of organic foods to those grown the conventional way, you may get a taste of sticker shock. Alan York is an expert with Purdue's Agriculture department.

York says, "It will cost more under most every circumstance, it will cost more. Sometimes as much as 50 percent more."

It's a problem of supply and demand. Converting land to grow organic is expensive. "There's no question but what it's easier to farm conventionally than it is organically," says York.

And more and more Americans are willing to pay for it.

Dr. Corinne Alexander says, "They like the fact that in organic production there aren't any pesticides in fertilizers used and that when it comes to organic live stock, there aren't any antibiotics used, there aren't any hormones used."

The jury is still out on whether organic foods are better for you. The research is just getting of the ground.

Alexander says, "As we've seen with all sorts of health food studies, you have one study saying one thing, the next year the study says something else."

Despite the lack of scientific evidence, many assume organic foods are more nutritious and safer to eat than those grown on a conventional farm.

"Choosing organic versus conventional to a significant degree becomes philosophical. You feel better because you're feeding your family organic," says York.

"A very health aware consumer is willing to say 'okay, well I'm not 100 percent sure this is better for me, but one the chance that it is, I'm willing to pay more," explains Alexander.

Willing to pay for more on the notion that it's better to be safe than sorry. You can find more information about organic foods by visiting the Organic Trade Association at www.ota.com

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