Organic or local--which is better?

Question

I was at the local Whole Foods the other day, and I saw lots and lots of apples. There were local apples, but they were conventionally grown. Then there were organic apples from all the way across the country. Considering conventional apples have a fairly high pesticide residue, according to the EPA, which woudl be the more environmentally friendly choice--local but conventional or distant but organic?

Answer 1

I think most would say local. The fact that most food is shipped from far away, makes it better for the earth to buy things that are grown locally. Of course, there are many other pros.

Taken from a website:

There Are Many Good Reasons To Buy Locally Grown Food

You'll get exceptional taste and freshness.
Local food is fresher and tastes better than food shipped long distances from other states or countries. Local farmers can offer produce varieties bred for taste and freshness rather than for shipping and long shelf life.

You'll strengthen your local economy.
Buying local food keeps your dollars circulating in your community. Getting to know the farmers who grow your food builds relationships based on understanding and trust, the foundation of strong communities.

You'll support endangered family farms.
There's never been a more critical time to support your farming neighbors. With each local food purchase, you ensure that more of your money spent on food goes to the farmer.

You'll safeguard your family's health.
Knowing where your food comes from and how it is grown or raised enables you to choose safe food from farmers who avoid or reduce their use of chemicals, pesticides, hormones, antibiotics, or genetically modified seed in their operations. Buy food from local farmers you trust.

You'll protect the environment.
Local food doesn't have to travel far. This reduces carbon dioxide emissions and packing materials. Buying local food also helps to make farming more profitable and selling farmland for development less attractive.

When you buy local food, you vote with your food dollar. This ensures that family farms in your community will continue to thrive and that healthy, flavorful, plentiful food will be available for future generations.

Answer 2

I would do some research and find out if your local source isn't managing their crops organically. Most farmers have to wait 3 years without pesticide use before they can be called organic. Maybe hes already meeting your standards. These days, lots of farms are switching over. And not all conventional methods are the same. Some are worse than others.

I personally vote local.

Answer 3

Local may seem better but organic is the best way to go. Pesticides affect everyone involved in the production of the product. The pesticides themselves are shipped all over. Local and organic is the ideal, of course. The more organic we buy, the more corporate agriculture will participate. A less toxic environment is critical. Farm markets, if available, help to reduce somewhat the ridiculously high prices of organic produce. Then there is the preference of what goes into my body. The fewer toxins, the better.

Answer 4

The better thing would be to get some apples from a local farmer. You could then ask them about their growing method (if they use pesticides, fertilizers, etc. or not) You would be helping someone directly (eliminating the middle-man), plus saving the air pollution of having the apples shipped from across the nation. Best yet is find a local orchard that will allow you to pick the apples yourself. This is a lot of fun to do with your family and/or a bunch of friends.

Answer 5

Sean, discover if there is a regional organic co-op or farm close you and try to get a job or internship there. Do you've got a farmers market regional? If that is so, ask the farmers what their production ways are. A few of them don't use chemical pesticides or fertilizers, however additionally they do not trouble with the price and forms of getting USDA certified natural. Also, do you may have a community backyard local? They regularly accept volunteer labor in exchange for a share of the produce. Best of good fortune!

Answer 6

I also enjoy Whole Foods markets and other Health Food stores. However, many places have co-ops that you can join. A co-op is a local farm that will allow you to pay a small price per season for a certain number of bags of food. You have to make a deal with them that you will put in a certain amount of labor to grow these foods (usually not very much) and you bring your own bags and pick the food yourself. The co-ops are almost always organic, too!

Answer 7

Locally grown organic fruit, such as is growing in my yard right now. The squirrel has been enjoying the persimmons, and you just reminded me that I'd better harvest ASAP or I won't be having any persimmon pudding for Thanksgiving.

I think WF has a suggestion board, sounds like you need to post. But given your question, I'd go for organic if shopping there, and start looking for a farmer's market or co-op in your area, someone that gives you the service you deserve.

Answer 8

Sean, discover out if there's a community organic and organic co-op or farm close to you and attempt to get a job or internship there. Do you've a farmers market close by? if so, ask the farmers what their production procedures are. a number of them do not use chemical insecticides or fertilizers, yet additionally they don't hardship with the cost and workplace paintings of having USDA qualified organic and organic. also, do you've a community backyard close by? they in a lot of cases settle for volunteer complicated paintings in replace for a percentage of the produce. best of success!

Answer 9

I suppose it depends on your local growers. Are they using chemicals? Given the choice however local/organic; I would be inclined to choose local to bolster the economy in my area. Wouldn't you be more satisfied to patronize your local people? And after all I hope your washing the fruit before you use it regardless of which you choose.

Answer 10

Local. If you can find another grocery store that has both local and organic taht would be best, but for now, just buy local.