When Mike Hamilton and his wife started Shade River Organic Farms on Fossil Rock Road in Athens 23 years ago, there were few local farmers raising organic food.
Today the number of organic ' or chemical free ' farmers in Athens has significantly increased and there is more competition between farmers, Hamilton said.
Even if I could make more money selling non-organic food
I don't want to Hamilton said. Chemicals on the plants kill bugs and weeds so they can't be beneficial to the body.
With more farmers attempting to grow organic foods, higher prices and complicated labels could confuse consumers. -
he said.
Labels help inform the consumers what their money is buying ' consumers should also weigh the nutritional benefits of organic food with the cost, said Deb Murray, professor in the Department of Health and Consumer Sciences.
The prices of food are going up and consumers should not feel that organic food is the only healthy option, Murray said. There is little difference in the nutritional quality between organic and fresh produce, she said.
Environmental agencies have researched chemical usage and concluded it is safe to use it on food, she said.
Many of the long-term effects of chemical usage are unknown, Murray said. But it is difficult to isolate and research chemical intake through food and its effects on people because there are other contributing lifestyle factors that determine health such as sun exposure, smoking and exercise, she said.
It is more important to meet the USDA's recommended intake of fruits and vegetables in any form than focus on organic products, Murray said.
There is a hierarchy of quality ' organic, fresh, frozen then canned, Murray said. If price isn't a concern then buy organic, but quantity is more important than quality, she said.
It is better to buy affordable produce than spend $5 on an organic cantaloupe and not eat any other produce for an entire week, Murray said.
College students should feel comfortable with produce grown non-organically
Murray said. Look for fruits and vegetables that resist the absorption of pesticides such as oranges.
Buying produce that is in season can make organic food more affordable, Murray said. The Farmacy Natural and Specialty Foods, the Athens Farmer's Market and Kroger all have good organic options, she said.
Angela Hamilton, a junior health communication major, prefers to buy organic food, but takes price into consideration. If it is a bit more expensive then she is willing to pay the extra cost, she said.
Produce isn't the only organic food; Hamilton said she looks for options in other foods such as organic boxed pasta.
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she said.
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