Organic Food Shopping tips

How many times  have you heard this:

Eat healthier  organic, chemical free, cruelty free and locally grown.
It does indeed resonate with me , but now as I am  thinking about it  it is as equally important to me that I am  spending a bit more for organic produce because  it tastes better, provides more nutrients and isn't laced with poisonous pesticides.

The following are practical tips to help get the most out of your organic food dollar. Making 'green' choices when you shop can have far-reaching benefits.

Organic food is neither fad nor fashion – its about quality, family food at prices that don’t cost the earth.

Reports this month published a story on its investigation targeting which organic items you should buy and which are OK to skip. On the buy list: fruits and vegetables including apples, peppers, celery, cherries, spinach and strawberries. Also, meat, poultry, eggs and dairy.

Whether you’re shopping at a supermarket or a farmer’s market, here are the signs of a high-quality, healthy food:

• It’s grown without pesticides and chemical fertilizers (organic foods fit this description, but so do some non-organic foods)

• It’s not genetically modified

• It contains no added growth hormones, antibiotics, or other drugs

• It does not contain artificial anything, nor any preservatives

• It is fresh (if you have to choose between wilted organic produce or fresh conventional produce, the latter may be the better option)

• It did not come from a factory farm

• It is grown with the laws of nature in mind (meaning animals are fed their native diets, not a mix of grains and animal byproducts, and have free-range access to the outdoors)

• It is grown in a sustainable way (using minimal amounts of water, protecting the soil from burnout, and turning animal wastes into natural fertilizers instead of environmental pollutants)

• If the food meets these criteria, it is most likely a good choice, regardless of whether it’s labeled local or organic.

The bottom line remains to look deeper than a label when it comes to your food. Most often, you will find foods that meet these high standards not at your local supermarket, but from a sustainable agricultural group in your area.