Why do we eat organic foos, what are your perceptions of Organic versus conventional food?

Question

I am doing this as my final year project at University, surveying people who leave in the city of Preston, UK... and asking why buy organic is it worth the money, do you know how it is produced? What's wrong with conventionally produced food? where do your buy your food. Hypotheses......Consumers who buy organically produced food percieve it too be better quaility and beneficial to their health, but along with conventional food consumers have little understanding of labelling and farming methods implemented to produce either. the main factors which Influence buying decisions are price, availability and origin?

Answer 1

pesticides would be the #1 reason to buy organic

Answer 2

I think the idea of it is good but I feel that organic food is just another marketing ploy for us to pay over inflated prices for food which is probably pretty much the same quality as normal farmed goods. If anything, organic foods should be cheaper if there is not any other additives or chemicals needed to grow it? Also, I am aware that for a food to be certified as organic does not technically mean that it is chemical/pesticide free as some others above have stated. Evidentally, it can be something very simple e.g. the foods that animals are fed can be classed as organic but they can pump the animal full of hormones etc yet still put organic on the label. That kind of thing! So overall? No, I would not make a point of buying only organic food as some do. It's ok if you can afford it but lets face it - most of us cannot afford to eat organic at every meal!

Answer 3

I believe that the "organic" movement is an anti-productive scam, for several reasons. My perception is:

- The threat of pesticides or other unnatural traits in non-organic food is wildly overblown. Statistically virtually zero consumers are harmed by conventional farming, indeed they would benefit from eating more of the the fruits and veggies instead of cheeseburgers.

- The very technologies that are avoided by organic farming are used because they are more productive. They are part of the 200-year agricultural revolution that has made us all wealthier. The result is more food, cheaper, which is a good thing.

- Organic food, as a result of the above, is too expensive, its farming consumes too much land and resources, and it does not offer the benefits it claims.

- That said, sometimes I actually DO buy organic food -- organic frozen entrees -- because those types of products along with being organic (which I don't care about) will often be different and interesting, higher in fiber, lower in calories, & devoid of transfats (which i do care about).

Answer 4

Sorry I'm not from Preston but personally I don't buy organic foods as I find them to expensive I know that they are supposedly produced without the use of pesticides and other chemicals but not sure how you could guarantee this. As far as quality goes I have never noticed any difference between goods labelled organic and normally farmed produce when I've been shopping Definitely the main things I would take into account before I buy a product are necessity (i like it / need it) cost and quality. hope this helps good luck with your project

Answer 5

I don't live in Preston but my perception of Organic food is one which is unadulterated. That is- food that has been produced without the use of harmful pesticides and fungicides;Without the use of fertilisers and grown away from polluted atmospheres such as by a busy main road or airport or former industrial sites.Grown outdoors in organically manured soil and not force-produced in greenhouses.Food without any added E numbers, flavour enhancers or preservatives.A product which will nurture and sustain life.Do we deserve anything less than the best?

Answer 6

The first word that comes to mind? EXPENSIVE !
The next is from being crabby and sour grapes- BAH HUMBUG.

I would buy organic food if they were available.
What scares me off conventional mass produced food are bug sprays, Genetic modifications, and questionable farming practices.

What scares me off organic food is the price, inconsistency of availability and occasional funny taste.

Answer 7

I think avoiding the pesticides which may harm our own health and cetainly harm the eco structure of the planet would be a reason. My thinking here is that insects need plants and birds need insects. We are all dependent on each other.
Also, organic produce may be made by more local producers and by supporting the little guy (preferrably via the farmers' market and not the supermarket) we are doing a good thing and also cutting down on food miles.

Answer 8

I was trying for a baby for 4 years. I switched to organic and got pregnant! I now have a little boy. There is so much infertility around at the moment which I feel is down to the chemicals in our fruit and vegetables and other foods. I buy my food from Supermarkets who I trust more than little organic farms. I think the regulations are stricter on Supermarkets, they probably get checked out more. Sorry.. just realised this is only for people in Preston.. will stop there...

Answer 9

Organic = overpriced.

End of story.

Answer 10

I pity the organic foos!