Veena Annadana
Well-Known Member
Why organic costs more
Sunday News
Jan 03, 2010 00:11 EST
By STAFF
Consumers pay a premium for organic food.
ORGANIC ... OR NOT Health benefits of organics debated 'Tis the season for baked oatmeal 'Cleaving' Who's Cooking? - Dec. 27, 2009
Organic romaine lettuce can cost about 60 cents more than conventional. A pound of organic grapes runs 50 cents to $1 more. And at around $4, a half-gallon of organic 2 percent milk costs more than twice as much as its conventional counterpart.
Organic food is more expensive for several reasons.
Organic farming often requires more labor-intensive techniques, such as hand-weeding instead of applying a chemical pesticide. Crop yields may be lower.
Jeffrey Moyer, farm director at the Rodale Institute, Kutztown, says organic food is priced to help farmers make a decent living, a concept many consumers support.
And, he says, organics have no hidden costs, such as environmental cleanups.
"As the industry grows, we're seeing prices, in many cases, come down," says Moyer, chair of the National Organic Standards Board.
National studies show that the faltering economy has forced many organic consumers to cut back and prioritize.
Jodi Swartz-Rankin, of Columbia, says she faithfully buys organic milk and produce, especially fruits and vegetables with edible skin.
But instead of spending $4 on a box of organic granola bars, she buys the ingredients to make her own.
And she doesn't usually buy organic butter, which can cost up to $5 a pound.
From: LancasterOnline.com:News:Why organic costs more
Sunday News
Jan 03, 2010 00:11 EST
By STAFF
Consumers pay a premium for organic food.
ORGANIC ... OR NOT Health benefits of organics debated 'Tis the season for baked oatmeal 'Cleaving' Who's Cooking? - Dec. 27, 2009
Organic romaine lettuce can cost about 60 cents more than conventional. A pound of organic grapes runs 50 cents to $1 more. And at around $4, a half-gallon of organic 2 percent milk costs more than twice as much as its conventional counterpart.
Organic food is more expensive for several reasons.
Organic farming often requires more labor-intensive techniques, such as hand-weeding instead of applying a chemical pesticide. Crop yields may be lower.
Jeffrey Moyer, farm director at the Rodale Institute, Kutztown, says organic food is priced to help farmers make a decent living, a concept many consumers support.
And, he says, organics have no hidden costs, such as environmental cleanups.
"As the industry grows, we're seeing prices, in many cases, come down," says Moyer, chair of the National Organic Standards Board.
National studies show that the faltering economy has forced many organic consumers to cut back and prioritize.
Jodi Swartz-Rankin, of Columbia, says she faithfully buys organic milk and produce, especially fruits and vegetables with edible skin.
But instead of spending $4 on a box of organic granola bars, she buys the ingredients to make her own.
And she doesn't usually buy organic butter, which can cost up to $5 a pound.
From: LancasterOnline.com:News:Why organic costs more