Organic Vs. Conventional Question

I've learned that with local food (around here) they are grown by organic methods. They can't put "organic" on them, because they aren't a certified organic farm. It's very difficult, lengthy, and expensive to be certified organic. Something the littler guys can't do. With that said, I always go local first.

I would buy local first if only for the reason of supporting your community... :)

I would buy local first. If you are shopping at the Farmer's Market you can ask the farmer what methods they use.

The "organic" label many times means nothing and can't be verified.

Personally, I try to go local, first and always.
Most local gardeners may even be organic but due to the cost of being licensed as "organic" and all the paperwork and red-tape, they don't bother.

Plus, as Red mentioned, I want to support my neighbors and community.

For me it really depends on the fruit or the vegetable . . . I like the comments below about supporting local farmers when possible.

That being said, I avoid GMO whenever I can.

I just worry that local may be planted with GMO seeds....which in turn could mean more pesticides. I'm am just getting into organic and have a lot to learn.

Anyone have any comments on organic butter? I love the milk, but the butter tastes....yucko like I'm eating the farm....hard to describe. :)

If something is from a different country, I really do not understand how they can label it 'organic', because ALL food products are sprayed with chemicals when crossing the border...so IMO, it's a waste of money as it is not truly 'organic.'

I have heard from farmers that you don't have to do a whole lot to qualify as organic food, so I would look up the regulations and what makes organic foods organic in both Mexico and the U.S. and decide from there. Personally I think buying local is better, but then I don't do organic foods (too much money for me!).

Good question...I have worked in the produce distribution industry for a number of years, and the trends have definitely moved from exclusively organic, to eating local, from smaller, non-commercial farms. Both have their benefits, just depends on what initiatives you are trying to support. I live in CA, where much of the nations produce comes from year round, and most large commercial farms still also have land in Mexico. Is the safety of the product a concern to you or the "food miles" associated with it, the "carbon footprint"? Organic produce out of Mexico may not have certain chemical pesticides, but it travels much further to get to you. If you buy from local, small farms (which is totally not always possible), there is an element of traceability, meaning that you know who grows your food, their growing practices, if they employ fair-wage labor, etc. Also, there are certain foods that have much more residual pesticides than others. Look up the "dirty dozen" to see which ones you should really try to avoid. I try to buy organic stuff as much as possible, including meats, chicken, dairy, but I will also buy local, seasonal produce that is not necessarily organic...Good for you for trying to educate yourself on this!

You can talk to the vendors at the farmers market to see if they spray or use chemical fertilizers or pesticides. Since it costs extra to be certified organic, some small farms advertise "spray-free" or pesticide free instead.

It should not matter as long as they are organic and without pesticides.

Local conventional can still be full of pesticides and possibly growth hormones, GMOs etc... Just because it's local doesn't mean they grew it as good as an organic Mexican farmer.