Future Generations

As organic food becomes more prevalent, the price differences between conventional and organic produce are widening, which raises the question: what are the benefits of consuming organic agriculture products? There are several reasons why organic produce costs more, and many of them are related to direct environmental benefits.

The primary environmental benefit of organic product is at the soil and ecological level: organic agriculture methods are more sustainable for the land, ensuring a longer agricultural cycle than conventional methods would allow. As a result, the land, soil and water remain healthier, which limits the potential negative effects of agriculture on the direct land, as well as surrounding areas. Traditional agricultural methods utilizing pesticides often create run-off into the ground water which can be potentially hazardous to drinking water, as well as allowing chemicals to enter the produce directly, which can degrade the nutritional value of the produce.

Another major public health and environmental benefit of organic produce is the better conditions that it allows for farms - everyone involved, from produce workers to farmers, transport truckers and grocery workers are better off when they limit their exposure to pesticides, which are used in increasing numbers on traditional, industrial farms. While organic agriculture methods are more work intensive, they produce a more sustainable product and improve the effects of the supply chain upon public health broadly considered.

Next time you reach for an apple, consider the benefits and costs of a traditional versus an organic product - there are many hidden costs to conventional produce, both for your individual health as well as the larger environment. Although there is a cost differential between the two, you are paying for more than a superior product - you are, essentially, paying a premium to help keeping public land, water and workers safer from potentially harmful pesticides and promoting the growth of sustainable, organic agriculture.