Literature Review

Throughout the last twenty years, the sales and practices of the organic food movement have been consistently increasing. A study published in the Journal of Food Science explained that “organic sales have increased by nearly 20% annually since 1990, with consumer sales reaching 13.8 in 2005.” (Winter & Davis, 2006) Like any new trend, it makes you wonder, “What is making it so popular and will it actually stick around”?

An obvious answer to its popularity is the national epidemic of overweight Americans. A dietitian from New York explains why not enough people are taking advantage of an organic diet, “With the U.S. ranking as the fattest country in the world and therefore home to most of the world’s weight conscious, I’ve often marveled over the fact that the emerging green food movement is never touted as a diet—even though the planet-friendly food choices we make are often the most waistline-friendly” (Root, 2009). The author then begins to explain how to make healthier choices such as shopping at unconventional farmers markets, satisfying super foods, and even tips to become more eco-friendly without much effort at all. She also explains how each of these tips can help lose weight (Root, 2009).  Dr. John Salerno recommends eating organic to weight loss patients. He articulates that someone wants to have a nutrient based diet they must start with where the most nutrients are. His answer is the dirt. To have healthy dirt, there must not be any fertilizers, pesticides or chemical additives. With these harmful seasonings   “the results are food products with empty calories, unknown long term health effects, and almost certain capacity for making people fat” (Salerno).

Other, more food conscious eaters might lean toward organic eating as a way to avoid harmful pesticides. Two studies,  from the University of Wisconsin and the University of California, proved organic foods actually are healthier, “Research is showing that when the body—especially organs like the liver—get overwhelmed with toxic matter, it becomes more difficult to shed pounds”(Kepner) . Many pesticides and fertilizers that are grown or placed in conventional, processed foods are fat-soluble. Therefore, these foods are able to absorb the pesticides and other unwanted agents and build inside your body.  (Root, 2009) Not only to organic foods not contain harmful products but they also have more nutrients such as natural antioxidants, which help fight heart disease and lung cancer (Kepner, 2003). Organic foods are furthermore not genetically modified. This means that their products have not been altered to enhance their purpose. Genetically modified agents are prohibited in any organic product as stated in the USDA’s qualifications (Organic Consumer Association).

If health care and environmental outlook isn’t enough, there is another organic benefit that is sliding into homes across the globe. The cause of good reputation for this nutritional trend is its ability to pose as an alternative to home remedies. This is also being known as Herbal Medicine. The University of Maryland’s Medical Center believes “that Herbal medicine is used to treat many conditions, such as asthma, eczema, premenstrual syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, migraine, menopausal symptoms, chronic fatigue, irritable bowel syndrome, and cancer, among others” (University of Maryland Medical Center, 2011). Herbal medicine proves as a safer, alternative medicine. The herbs that are being used can be combined to have a greater effect with a much smaller side effect list (University of Maryland Medical Center).  Not only are organic foods available to cure you through a practicing holistic doctor, they are also available as easy home remedies. For example, eucalyptus is helpful for congestion, garlic is beneficial to the immune system and peppermint is effective for treating indigestion problems (Langford, 2010).

With a wide assortment of beneficial reasons to eat all natural, why would anyone choose not to? The most common answer is because of the cost. It is true that usually organic foods are more expensive than the conventional foods. In one survey, “the main reasons consumers purchased organic foods were for the avoidance of pesticides, for freshness, for health and nutrition and to avoid genetically modified foods. Such consumers appear to be willing to pay the typical 10% to 40% price premium that organic products command” (Winter & Davis, 2006)  However, it does not mean that everyone has to be willing to pay that extra. Maria Rodale, CEO and Chairman of Rodale, Inc., submits her advice on how to shop smart when buying organic. She offers great tips such as “Making it from Scratch- Most of what people waste money on is alleged convenience, a.k.a. processed, overly salted, overly marketed food with excess packaging. Most things we buy in processed form are fairly easy to make from scratch with a good, simple recipe” (Rodale, 2012). She also proposes that making meats, poultry or fish as a side dish instead of the main dish will help the budget. Most people buying too much and wasting what they have. So if you supply more side dishes, which generally cost much less, you will profit you pocket later (Rodale).

For the last couple decades, there have been many skeptics to the nutrients and environmental benefits that buying organic can produce. However, due to the various advantages that a healthier, greener lifestyle has on individuals and the community, the trend of eating organic will withstand. Charles Benbrook states in EcoFarm “For reasons beyond the control of the organic community, there is now a raging food safety, food quality debate underway around the world. It is focusing on the impacts of different farming systems and technologies – conventional farming versus biotech versus IPM versus organic. There are profound differences between the principles driving today’s GE applications in agriculture versus the principles underlying organic farming. The sooner the public understands these differences and decides which set of principles should shape their food future, the sooner the country can progress toward more coherent national food, farm, and technology policies.” (Benbrook, 2003) Benbrook expresses that once the population is made more aware of the consequences of the actions that they are taking, they will see that an organic lifestyle will triumph (Benbrook).