Organic vs. Non-organic Kristy Hopp

Produce and other ingredients Meat (poultry, eggs, dairy, beef, pork, etc.) Organic - grown without pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, sludge, any genetically modified organisms, or ionizing radiation - no antibiotic or growth hormones used NON- Organic - could be (unsure) grown in pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, sludge, using genetically modified organisms or ionizing radiation could have antibiotic + growth hormones Organic meat is going to say grassfed. Poultry and eggs are going to safe cage free or free reign. Dairy products will say grass fed or no grain

Here is a list of the differences between conventional farming techniques and organic farming. Just to touch on a few of the more important things to take note of on this chart is that conventional farming contains GMO where organic farming does not. Weeds and bugs are not controlled by pesticides and herbicides in organic as they are controlled in conventional farming. In conventional farming air, water and soil pollution is a problem and this is not a problem at all in organic farming.

Identifying Organic Foods Made with Organic Ingredients Organically Produced PLU Made w/ 100% organic ingredients Made w/ at least 95% organic ingredients Made with minimum of 70% organic ingredients with strict restrictions on the remaining 30% including no genetically modified organisms (GMO) Products w/ <70% organic ingredients in the side panel of the package (not on front) United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Seal- assures quality and integrity of organic products. Certified operations must have organic system plan records that verify compliance with plan and are inspected annually as well as random checks Price Loop-UP – organic produce will start with a 9 and have four more numbers following it Non-organic will start with a 4 and only have three numbers following that

Products Organic - 25 Non-organic - 900 Organic products allowed to use 25 synthetic products in crop rotation some include: alcohols, copper sulfate, hydrogen peroxide Non- organic products allow 900 different pesticides to be used in their crop rotation such as: insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, disinfectants, repellents and biopesticides. These are some of the pesticides that can be found in conventional farming techniques

Benefits Benefits Vitamin C + Phosphorous + Iron + Magnesium Clean Environment Reduced Risk of Developing Certain Cancers More vitamin c + phosphorous + Iron + Magnesium ( does vary from farmer to farmer) Reduce fossil fuel consumption and reduces environmental contamination w/ pesticides + herbicides -reduce risk of developing postmenopausal breast cancer, lymphoma, prostate cancers, skin cancer and colorectal cancer. Consumption of organic foods has been found to decrease an individual's risk for developing cancer. This reduced risk is in correlation with food scores. A food score is based on nutritional facts that you typically find on a food label. The more foods that you consume with a higher score the more likely you are to reduce your risk for developing cancer. Here is the calculation in order to convert your food into a food score or there is an app called Food Score Calculator for Weight-Loss and Nutrition For each 5 point increase in food score the risk decreases by 8%

Nutrient Value Frozen Raw Sautéed Steamed Boiled Frozen has equivalent nutrient value to fresh produce. Steaming is more beneficial than boiling Sauteed is more beneficial than steaming and boiling Raw is more beneficial than any form of cooked veggie Keep in mind that buying frozen fruits and veggies can still be organic and can be the healthy option when short on time or in a pinch money wise

Dirty Dozen These produce items contain the most pesticides It is updated every year In this case you are better off eating these foods organic than from a conventional farm

Clean Fifteen These are the cleanest conventional produce to purchase this year These change from year to year based on the composition of the soil and the crop rotation.

Other Organic Products Soap Toothpaste Deodorant Shampoo/conditi oner Make-up Potting soil Some other organic product to look for are soap, toothpaste, deodorant, shampoo and conditioner, make-up, even potting soil The idea behind these products is to ensure that the products that you use on your body that soak into your skin or that you grow your garden with are also free of chemicals and other harmful substances. Because even though you put it on your skin or hair it still soaks into your blood stream.

Price -coffee, cereal, bread + hamburger cost less than conventional counterparts (occasionally) - increase demand for organic will decrease the cost - high cost is due to: - organic farmers don’t receive federal subsidies as a conventional farmer would (price reflects true growing cost) - conventional food does not reflect the cost of environmental cleanups that we pay through tax dollars - organic farming is more labor and management intensive - organic farms are typically smaller than conventional farms and do not benefit from economies of scale as the larger growers do - Aldi- cheaper organic food - Meijer- average price (occasional sale) - Trader Joe’s, Bridge Street Market, Farmer’s Market- typically a lower price - If this is still out of your price range this is where buying frozen fruits and veggies can come in handy since they run a little cheaper

Questions?