Organic. Is it Worth it?

I’ve often wondered if folks think that “organic” means safer. These days I’m not sure it means that it tastes better, is healthier or even is better for the environment.

Why? Because organic is a label that’s become so diluted and complicated, it’s untrustworthy.

I hear locavores talk about how you’re better off if you know and trust your farmer’s methods. But even if you’re a CSA member, you’re not personally doing the testing for salmonella or harmful bacteria.

So I was interested to read this piece in the NY Times, “It’s Organic, but Does That Mean it’s Safer?“

Kind of the same old story. We’re really at the mercy of food producers because inspections are underfunded and poorly regulated.

But I was glad to see the Times note that others are wising up that “organic” doesn’t mean much to locavores. Just because a label says “organic” doesn’t mean the product was locally produced or that the animals involved were treated humanely.

And let me just say, that I’m skeptical of the the Organic Trade Association’s new $500,000 Internet campaign to dress up the word and present a new slogan, “Organic. It’s worth it.”

It’s not worth it to me…if I don’t know where my food came from and I don’t trust the label.