organic foods
Organic farming began in the late 1940's in the United States, and in recent years it has seen a dramatic increase in popularity (Rubin 1). The sales of organic foods have been increasing by about 20 percent a year over the past decade (Marcus 1). That is over ten times the rate of their conventional counterparts (Harris 1). There are 10 million consumers of organic food in the United States, yet organic food represents only one percent of the nation's food supply. This year organic food sales are expected to rise to six billion dollars (Rubin 1). So what are organic foods? Organic foods are those which are grown without hormones, pesticides, or synthetic fertilizers. Also, the soil in which organic foods are grown must be "clean" for three years (Howe 4). Nearly 70 percent of the American public believes that the organic label on food products means they are safer to eat and better for the environment according to a survey by the National Center for Public Policy (Cummins 1). Organic farming does have its advantages. It conserves water and soil resources, recycles animal waste, releases fewer chemicals, improves soil fertility, promotes diversity of crops, and protects farm workers,
If one wants to buy foods that are more environmentally friendly, then organic foods would be a good choice; but if one is looking for immediate health benefits, save your money. Personally, if I knew something was grown with conventional chemical fertilizers, I would feel extra safe. Our food supply is safe because the Environmental Protection Agency controls the levels of pesticides used (Rubin 2). Not using these technologies makes organic farming more labor intensive, therefore making organic foods more expensive. Also, selecting produce that has thick skins, husks, or hulls (like bananas, melons, and citrus fruits) reduces exposure to pesticides because the skins are harder to permeate. Cereals, breads, nuts, seeds, and oils should be refrigerated. Eighty-nine to ninety percent of all pesticides drift from their point of application, which increases the risk of nearby areas being exposed (Howe 2). "Organic Foods Offer Peace of Mind-At a Price. Synthetic pesticides can be carried by wind, ground water, rain, or soil from other farms to organic farms and contaminate the organic foods being grown there (Rubin 2). Critics of organic farming claim that it is dangerous, environmentally damaging and, above all, incapable of feeding an overpopulated world because crop yields are lower than in conventional agriculture (Jones 2). All organic foods must be produced without synthetic pesticides and genetic engineering.
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Acceptance Essays
