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Originally Posted by NCB
I think the idea of organic foods makes people think they're better for the enviroment and that they taste better. The human body isn't so fragile as to require an organic diet.
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It depends on what you mean by "organic" - anybody have the definition legislated a couple of years ago?
Also, I don't "need" an organic diet, but when I eat raw fruits, veggies and nuts that have been conventionally grown, my throat swells shut if the pesticides have not been thoroughly washed off them. Scary enough to make me pay the extra 45 cents for an organic apple.
Whole Foods is a bit of a ripoff, though. Many of our other grocery stores - Kroger, for example - have started carrying some of the same products like 7th Generation cleaning supplies, Optimum cereals, Knudsens juices, and at lower prices than you find at Whole Foods. An Earth Fare is also opening up in the area, which should spur some competition.
If you really want to support small scale organic farming, check out your local food co-op (you often get 20% off your groceries if you work one 4 hour shift per week) or look into local "agricultural subscriptions." You pay $X/month and you get a certain amount of in-season produce every week. Pound of tomatoes, 6 peppers, whatever. Around here you can even sign up for fresh buffalo meat, chicken, eggs, goat cheese, whatever. Most if not all of it is organically produced and the meat is "free range" and free of pesticides and unnecessary antibiotics. The subscriptions really help the farmers keep going, and it's good, fresh food.