Eating Your Way to a Greener Planet and a Healthier Economy

For most of us, thinking about green-ing the planet means thinking about the need to drive hybrid cars and ride trains, to buy energy efficient appliances and light-bulbs, and to weather-proof our homes. It is sometimes easy to overlook the fact that even something as simple as buying organic products at the grocery store can add up to a world of difference. 

It is common knowledge nowadays that organic food is better for the body, but it's also environmentally friendly! Not only does the earth benefit from having fewer pesticides dumped into it, organic farms are more energy-efficient, which helps directly in the fight against global warming. 

If keeping the globe cool still isn't quite a good enough reason to make the lifestyle switch from Cheez-Its to Late July organic cheddar cheese crackers, it might be helpful to note that secular snacks' organic counterparts tend to be much tastier. I know, I know, there are some days where it seems like nothing could beat those deliciously processed flavors, but as a whole, the real taste of whole foods will always win because they are made, every step of the way, with much purer products. 

One of the biggest concerns most of us have when we consider switching to an all-organic diet is the increase it represents in food expenses, especially in such an unstable economy. Admittedly, even the environmental benefits can seem diminished when we're faced with up to a 20% increase in our grocery receipts. 

Why the price difference? When farmers make the decision to grow organic, they take on the added challenge of bringing a healthy crop to fruition without the help of cheaply-gotten pesticides. In addition, until recently most organic produce was grown on small, independently-owned farms, by farmers who didn't have the reserve assets to offer competitive prices.

Interestingly enough, in this bad economy it is the small-business aspect of organic produce that makes spending the little extra money all the more enticing. Obviously, in the winter months we Portland folk don't have the option to frequent a farmer's market, but we can still be on the lookout for those little "locally grown!" signs in grocery stores, or at the People's Food Cooperative , and support our own local economy by supporting those local farms.

 Even if you don't have a chance to get to a farmer's market or locally owned grocery store, you can still lookout for organic foods in your local chain grocery store. With the growing popularity of organic foods, even Safeway has caught on, and you can generally get organic produce for just a few cents more per pound. Even if the giant produce display hasn't been marked yet, you can look out for fruits and vegetables with tags starting with the number "9," all of those will be organic. 

Over the next few months, we'll have regular articles up on the subject of organic foods, wines, and beers. Sometimes there will be tips on where to go to shop for these green-friendly goods, sometimes delicious recommendations and recipes, all with a mind to enhance your green living. Enjoy!!