What does organic mean anyways? The U.S. Department of Agriculture has put in place a set of national standards that food labeled "organic" must meet, whether it is grown in the United States or imported from other countries. What this mean is that organic farmers must avoid the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, genetically modified organisms, ionizing radiation and fungicides. They often emphasize the use of sustainable resources as well. Organic meat, poultry, eggs, and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones. Keep in mind that the words “natural” and “organic” are not interchangeable. Only food labeled “organic” designate that the product meets the new USDA organic standards.

Is it worth the extra money? When deciding whether to spend the extra cash on organic foods you may want to keep in mind in a number of recent studies, articles and reports conclude that nutritional analysis shows few or no differences than non-organic food. However, there are other reasons to purchase organic; health, environmental and social. For example, pesticide residues could affect your long term health and potential for cancers or other illnesses.

Do organic foods taste better? Some say they do not, others say they do. Interestingly in the movie “The Future of Food” consumers did not like the flavor of tomatoes that were genetically modified and sprayed with pesticide. If you do decide to get fruits and vegetables they will not look as “pretty” as their counterparts. This is because they are actually “healthier.”

Watching your budget? Then which organic foods should you buy? Many fruits and vegetables have thin or edible skins that contain pesticide residue and are better to purchase organic. Some of these are: nectarines, peaches, pears, apples, cherries, berries, grapes, celery, spinach, and peppers. It is safer to buy avocados, bananas, broccoli, cabbage, kiwi, mango, onions, papaya, and pineapple as non-organic produce. Whether you decide to go organic or not, always be aware of what you are buying.