A Study of Organic Goodness

...there was a recent article about the current economic climate and people are having to choose between gas and food. Especially people with families and children to take care of. So this isn't about a "bigger picture," this is about basic survival. Creating gardens is not a bad idea but not everyone has the time or the space for them, and they are still expensive to get going. When I had my garden on my balcony it was quite a bit to get the soil, the pots, the plants, etc. Just getting herbs to grow can be pricey. Once you have them going then that's another story. But I honestly think eco-people need to have a better understanding of the real economic issues average American families are having right now. Wal-Mart is painted as the enemy but for those people that's the only way they can afford food and clothes. Eco-companies need to find a way to bring their products to the market for less, and the one company that has done a decent job with this is Trader Joe's. But Whole Foods is so expensive, I don't ever shop there. They need to get with the program and lower prices for consumers. For more information see: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071019/ap_on_bi_ge/stretching_paychecks

I think Lela D's got something there. I live in a small town and am surrounded by gardeners with yards abundant (I myself am afflicted with a black thumb) but for anyone with limited space, why not grow some gardens and even share with friends? Get your friends together and you can all grow some different things and trade. That way, you get variety in your home-grown veggies and fruits! If possible, start a rooftop garden with all your apartment neighbours. That way, you meet like-minded people and get to really make a difference. What Lis S. says is true. It is best to prevent illness and I sincerely hope that we as a community can find ways to do that.

I like to think of the bigger picture when buying my food. Maybe an organic tomato does cost more, but if there's more flavor and nutrients, perhaps I need just one instead of two conventionally-grown tomatoes. Also, I totally believe in spending the money on "prevention" and not on doctors bills, missed work because of illness, etc. Good food makes for healthy bodies, and healthy bodies are much cheaper to maintain!

I love the idea of having a little kitchen garden. We need to have our own little victory gardens for our own families. Doesn't that sound nice? It's just so convenient to pick up the junk at the grocery store. Easy and cheap!

I am a fan of organic food but we have to change the economic paradigm and make organic less expensive. Families are struggling now with higher gas prices and the increase in cost for organic just doesn't add up for a lot of average households. Food costs in general have risen dramatically in the last year and it's putting a major crunch on middle class households. With all that going on it's going to be hard for people to afford the higher price of organic. And that's a shame. Environmental choices should not be luxuries that only the affluent can afford.