Why Organic?
We have toiled and tarried with how much information this page should contain, simply because we are so passionate about organic farming and  organicproducts. Volumes of information are contained on several excellent websites. Therefore, we hope to simply peak your curiosity here and direct you to those resources for more in-depth knowledge. We encourage you to arm yourself with the most information you can handle about how your consumer dollars affect our lives and our world.
But for now, our top four reasons for buying and eating organic are as follows:
#1: Personal Health
Easy. Conventionally grown products are exposed to varying levels of chemical fertilizers and pesticides during the course of their growing cycle which you do not want to ingest at any level-let alone feed to your loved ones. Certified organic growers are not allowed to employ these strategies, nor would they want to. This means that you, the consumer, never have to worry about toxic residue in your food or your bloodstream.
#2: The Health of the Environment
No chemical residue on plants means no chemical residue in the soil and no chemical runoff to contaminate our drinking water. Organic growers are more concerned about the health of the soil-that which will sustain eons of continued food production, not simply a few seasons. In addition to not killing the soil with chemicals, they frequently employ practices such as crop rotation, which naturally enhance and balance the nutrition of the soil. Remember, soil is the living substrate that feeds the foods that are grown in it-think of it as the womb of your food.
#3: Economy
Organic farming usually takes place on smaller scale, family owned farms. Purchasing these products supports these families-in our case in East Contra Costa County , many of whom are our neighbors and friends- as opposed to supporting the faceless, unaccountable, conscious-less corporate agri-business companies. These families are an integral part of our communities and tend to care a great deal about the interconnectedness of all things (and actions!).
#4: The No Brainer Reason-Taste of Course!
Organic growers grow with the natural cycle of their region, without growth hormones, stimulants or as mentioned before, chemical fertilizers or pesticides. They allow the food, grown in healthy nutritious soil, to ripen naturally. They pick it at the peak of flavor and freshness and rush it to market. What does that mean to us? Yum! Fruits and vegetables that taste as if you grew them right in your own backyard. Studies are also showing that food that is grown this way actually has more nutritional value than conventionally grown food (again, don't take our word for it- visit those other websites!). When you cook (and eat!) with organically grown produce, you find you have so much flavor in your food that you actually need less fat and flavor enhancement to get a truly gastronomical delight!
So.Why organic? Because it just makes so much sense! For you, your health, your family, the community, the local economy and dear old Mother Earth.
One last thing, why does it cost more? Because quality takes time. No shortcuts. Period.
Top Ten conventionally grown Fruits and Vegetables that contain the highest concentration of toxic pesticides according to the Environmental Working Group:
- Strawberries
- Bell Peppers
- Spinach
- Cherries
- Peaches
- Mexican Cantaloupe
- Celery
- Apples
- Apricots
- Green Beans
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