I just returned from the local health food store. I realized that just because what they sell is good for you, that doesn't necessarily mean that what you buy is a good food value. Now I'm not discussing cost, per se, but rather the nutritional benefit per food dollar. For example, I really like rice milk. If you look at what you get when you buy a quart of the stuff (for around two bucks), it doesn't amount to much more than water with a little powered rice mixed in. Several years ago I started caring about the food I eat. Now I find myself wanting a better return on my investment. I walked out of there with a loaf of organic cinnamon raisin bread, a quart of organic soy milk (at least soy has protein), and my organic chocolate fix, all for just over five bucks. I think I did pretty good. I do much prefer organic, even though it does cost more. I guess I just like natural things. Any organic farmers out there?

-- Kevin (kevinmail@earthlink.net), January 16, 2002

Answers

Have yo considered joining a food co-op? Get a lot of organic food cheaper. North Farm has a website. There's FORC and Something Better? Country Life, Frontier Herbs-they have a website. I posted the address of these on Cs a long time ago, should be inthe archives.

-- Cindy (SE. IN) (atilrthehony@hotmail.com), January 17, 2002.

I grow all our fruits and vegetables organiaclly. There have never been any chemicals on anything on our property. But I don't sell it, I will give it away if you happen by at the right time though!!

-- Melissa (me@home.net), January 17, 2002.

I grow everything organically. Like Melissa though, I don't sell. I put up enough for us and give the rest away. I also buy as much organic as I possibly can. Our local Kroger's carries a lot of organic products for instance I bought organic cauliflower there yesterday and it was $3. Not a whole lot more than nonorganic. I also belong to a large food co-op. I get a 10% discount by belonging but everything is still expensive. I can get some organic things - wheat, oats, etc. at a Mennonite bulk food store close to me. I believe more and more people are buying organic so hopefully the prices will start coming down and they will be more plentiful.

-- Barb in Ky. (bjconthefarm@yahoo.com), January 17, 2002.

The only "pesticide" I use is tobacco juice on my tomato plants...I figure if I do things properly, there will be some produce for the bugs and some for us and some to sell when all is said and done. When we lived in NJ and my husband went through what I call his "health food craze", I couldn't get him to understand that spending $5 for a loaf of any kind of bread was nuts..the prices in NJ at "health" stores are completely crazy, but folks actually pay that kind of money.....for instance, in PA where there are soy bean fields all over the place, why is it so expensive to buy soy products??????? Is it truly more expensive to grow "organically" or is it a trendy Emperor's New Clothes food thing for city yuppies?????? There is a nice turkey farm in Central NJ which makes a killing at Thanksgiving season because they advertise "Organically -raised turkeys" and sell them for double the price..does it cost them more $$$$$ to not fill their birds with antibiotics and to not keep them 4,000 birds per housing unit???? It costs me LESS money to raise my poultry without chemicals as well as to grow my produce without pesticides..so why the $$$$$$ big bucks for "health" food?

-- lesley (martchas@bellsouth.net), January 17, 2002.

Kevin, hope you research the latest information on soy. My understanding is that we usually do not consume it in the form that the orientals have traditionally done. Most soy products are simply a by-product of the oil industry and not that digestible. Traditional soy was sprouted or fermented. Sauteed mung bean sprouts and properly fermented soy sauce are two good examples. Soy is largely genetically modified (except organic).

For the most nutrition from your foods, you might want the book by Sally Fallon: NOURISHING TRADITIONS

Although I don't agree with some things in the book, she does a great job of showing how food was traditionally prepared. For instance, the "quick" breads we like to make are not that digestible. That's why you get so much more nutrition out of yeast breads, sauerkraut, etc. You only absorb what you can digest.

In keeping with that, there's a great recipe for overnight oatmeal pancakes on the allrecipes website, where you soak the oatmeal and buttermilk overnight, then add the rest in the morning.

Bottom line: You get extra nutrients free!! And you don't put such a burden on your digestive system!!

-- HV (veggie@ourplace.com), January 18, 2002.

Kevin,

I am an organic farmer. There are lots of reasons it costs more to farm organically- certification and recordkeeping costs, closer control on crops- you can't really grow 100 acres of a monoculture of corn and have it work. The farms are typically diverse which requires more manpower than just one crop.

If you do not garden I would suggest joining a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). They are typically run by organic farmers. You pay the farmer all or part at the beginning of the season (it helps with seasonal startup costs). Each week through the growing season you receive a share of what is harvested. It is cheaper that the organic foods at the store and you get to try all kinds of food that you wouldn't find at the store. The store only sells food that handles and ships well. We are starting our first CSA this year. It is a great concept. The best part is all the money goes to the farmer insead of 25 cents on the dollar at the store. Amy

-- Amy Richards (amysgarden2@earthlink.net), January 18, 2002.

Amy------that is soooooo great------keep up the good work!!!!

-- Sonda (sgbruce@birch.net), January 18, 2002.

HV, the people you refer to as Oriental preffer to be known as "Asian".

-- mitch hearn (moopups@citlink.net), January 21, 2002.