Paying for the Label

Whole Foods organic display
(Greensboro Daily photo)

We regularly purchase (and pay a premium for) "organic" food without fully understanding the term. Below is a summarized version of the USDA definition:

To be labelled organic, a producer must abide by a stringent set of government standards. The USDA qualifies produce as organic if no synthetic pesticides, chemical fertilizers or genetically modified organisms (GMO) are used. Pest control and crop nutrients must be managed through natural physical, mechanical and biological controls. And when producing organic meat, eggs and dairy, for instance, farmers must provide non-GMO livestock with year-round outdoor access. They are also prohibited from using growth hormones or antibiotics.

We won't know for a long time if going organic will make any difference to our longevity and quality of life, but the price difference is manageable and there appear to be no other downsides. Yes, we may be suckers, but at least we are pesticide-, antibiotic-, and GMO-free.