Organic vs Local

I would buy local any day over certified organic, being able to talk to a local farmer and knowing what methods he used would make me rest easier. From the bit of research I have done/information I have had at hand...the label "organic" costs the farmer a ton of money and also there is some controversy over the USDA's regulations.

I would ask the local growers what they use on their crops. Many do not use pesticides or chemical fertilizers, and are happy to answer your questions, especially if you buy at a farmer's market. The people are usually proud of their product and will gladly give you information.

To be certified organic is very expensive, and many small growers cannot afford the certification. Another consideration is that in getting the certification the grower must agree to allow government officials onto their property at any time, and those government people can go just about anywhere on the land that they want to, even inside homes. There are very strict standards and regulations too, a lot of which don't make sense and are just hardships on the farmers.

I was going to do certified organic, but the more I read about it the quicker I decided against it. I even stopped growing extra food to sell. We grow enough for our family and that's it. I don't know what your living situation is, but if you have space I suggest growing your own. I have a black-thumb but can grow most veggies. They are simple, don't take much space to grow at all, and you decide what is safe or not safe to put on your plants. Oh, and it is a lot cheaper than store bought!

We try really hard to support the local farmers. And generally, if you talk to them at farmers markets or their stands you will find that they are organic, just not necessarily certified. We also researched and found a local butcher that provides meat that is free-range, hormone free, and/or grass fed. While it doesn't have the certified label, the butcher knows the farmers personally and stands behind their product. I think it's really important to know where your food is coming from.

Many farms use organic methods but do not apply for the certified label. If you go to a local farmer's market just casually ask about their growing methods. Ask what type of pest control and fertilizer they use. I've found that they are usually more than happy to discuss these things with customers. I've found that farmer's who raise their chickens free range, or feed their cows grass are often eager to put that on the label, or at least mention it at the time of purchase. If you have any doubt just ask. You can always just say, "can you tell me about your how your chickens/cows are raised?" Or, "can you tell me more about your farm?" If they want your business they will openly discuss their practices with you, or even invite you to visit the farm.

I typically buy local, but only after having talked to the farmer. I agree with the other posters that most small farms can't afford to become "organic" but more importantly lose so many of their rights as independent farmers. I also agree that the USDA sometimes allows things to be allowed in organic farming. Lastly, I find that fruit and veggies are so much more flavorful and tend to be better quality if they are local. Every time I buy organic, I find the fruit is bad withing just a day or two. I assume it is all the travel time, that farmers have to pick earlier enough to allow for travel.

I find that most of the local farmers who sell at our farmer's market and/or have CSAs (which sell out every year so we haven't joined one) are basically "un-certified" organic. The little farms often can't afford the certification, or are using land that was once used for conventional farming and it hasn't been organically farmed long enough to get certified. If I had questions, I would just talk to the farms directly or check their websites for information about their practices.

I actually go more Organic when buying packaged/processed foods. I honestly don't care if the oats in my granola bars are organic, but I know that if I'm buying organic granola bars, they're not going to be loaded with HFCS, preservatives and other artificial ingredients. I can't make everything from scratch, so the foods that I eat and serve that are not single-ingredient (produce, meat, dairy etc.) I try to make sure are as wholesome and minimally processed as possible. My produce hierarchy is my garden, the farmer's market, grocery store organic (when available and affordable) and grocery store standard. We can't afford organic meats so I go with regular grocery store stuff there.

I've done a lot of research on this, and it depends on the product. Meat, I agree with the free range organic ect. And some fruits and veggies, my general rule of thumb is if I am eating the skin, I buy organic, if not I buy local.

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I prefer organic to local. If it isn't certified the farm cannot call itself organic. Oregon has the strictest standard in the nation about organic food.
Let those who like to poison themselves eat non organic food.

Part of the year I work in Europe and I even know restaurants that serve organic food. I buy only organic food to cook. If you want to be healthy you have to do it.

I am concerned with both. It depends on the deal and the product. Apples for example, absorb chemical readily through there skin, so I prefer organic. Tomatoes, I am the only one that eats them, and not a whole lot, I usually go with local, they taste so much better. We eat alot of eggs, so organic there.

I try to buy local, but in the end I buy the veg/fruit that looks like it's not half rotten. Every time I see organic veggies and fruit around here they are half or more than halfway rotten so I end up not buying them :(
Either way I wash the veggies and fruit before I use them or eat them. I do try and go to the farmer's market for some veggies too.