Questions In Need of Answers - No. 2

Organic foods (by which I am referring to fruit and vegetables - meat is a separate matter) aren't necessarily fresher. Fruit and vegetables taste better when they are fresher regardless of whether they are organic or not. Not all organic foods come from small, independent farmers. Both organic and non-organic foods are produced by both small, independent farmers which sell locally, and large, industrial scale producers, which transport across the country, which leads to another point - organic foods aren't inherently more ethical or supportive of local, independent businesses.

Organic food is not healthier. Organic farmers still use pesticides. They are just natural pesticides, however just because they are natural, it doesn't mean that they are less damaging to your health, and are still often poisonous. Natural poisons are still poisons. Arguing that something is better because it is natural is an example of the naturalistic fallacy. There is also no compelling body of research to suggest that organic foods are more healthful. In fact most of the research suggests there is no substantial difference in nutrition.

Organic food is not more environmentally friendly. Natural pesticides are usually far less effective than synthetic, targeted pesticides and as a result, they have to use far more of it to achieve adequate protection, which leads to higher levels of environmental contamination. Organic crops also produce a lower yield, and so require more land, time, water, fuel, and other recourses to produce the same quantity of equivalent non-organic foods.

Organic food does not taste better. The current scientific consensus based on the literature of double-blinded taste tests of organic vs. non-organic foods suggests that in the majority of cases, neither humans nor animals are able tell the difference between organic and non-organic fruit and veg. Sure there are plenty of people here who will offer anecdotes to the contrary, however they are just that - anecdotes. Anecdotes which are subjective to confirmation bias, and which do not hold true when the appropriate controls are in place.

If you want better tasting fruit and vegetables that support local, independent farmers, buy fresher fruit and vegetables produced by local, independent farmers.

Everyone has made some good points about organic produce. I've become quite spoiled by eating fresh vegetables out of the backyard garden -they are so much better than anything at the store. Your local farmers market is the next best choice to get produce that's fresh and in season. My family has fallen into eating salads only in summer and loading up on apples in the fall, citrus in winter, and "whatever looks good" in the spring. Plus we have organic green beans and tomatoes year round that come out of jars in the basement.