What seems to be a simple question is really not. The label organic means that the food meets a certain standard of naturalness. What it really means depends on where you live. If your government is very strict about the definition then it may be true that the food was grown very naturally. If your government has been corrupted by commercial food lobbyists who want to have lax standards so they can grow cheap food for which youll be willing to pay a higher price, then you really dont know what the organic label means. If you live in such a country, you may be wasting your money.
Another issue is that the soil can be completely depleted of nutrients and yet food grown on it can be labeled as organic as long as the farmer hasnt used the pesticides and herbicides that are prohibited under that countrys organic standards. According to a 2006 report by the Nutrition Security Institute, the soils of the earth are severely depleted. If current agricultural processes dont change, they claim that we only have 48 years worth of topsoil left on the planet.
An interesting trend with some farmers who understand this problem is to try to restore the soil to a natural state before beginning to grow organic, or nearly organic foods. Soil scientists like Soil Foodweb Inc. have developed processes for reintroducing the bacteria, enzymes and nutrients that are necessary for truly healthy and healthful produce.
You may find the most healthful food at the best price if you use farmers markets or small shops who deal directly with local farmers. You may be lucky enough to live near a shop with a red-cheeked lady in overalls who drives her pickup around to a dozen local farms to collect what has just ripened. When you buy produce like that, youre supporting honest, small farmers and your local economy. People who buy from local farmers claim that produce just tastes better when you know the family who pulled it out of the ground or plucked it from the tree.
In the USA, theres an organization called the Organic Consumers Association that fights for improved standards, battles the commercial giants who seem to be constantly wanting to water down the standards, and supports local farmers who want to do things right. If you live in the US, I urge you to join the OCA and participate in their campaigns to improve the access of American consumers to healthful food. If you live elsewhere, I hope that there is a similar organization in your country or perhaps people who are willing to start one.
To answer the original question: organic produce is only worth the money if consumers have demanded that the standards are commensurate with optimum health. When left to the governments and the food industry lobbyists, you can bet that organic food will be just another rip-off. Get involved!
