Green with Children
The Cost of Being Conscientious
The already exorbitant price of organic food is climbing higher, says an article in today's New York Times. Anyone who has tried going green knows it can sometimes cost you more. We've all paid a premium for organics at times. Way back in my post-collegiate days as a vegetarian I discovered that eating healthy usually means eating pricey. Yet and still, I will only give my boys organic milk. I'm too freaked out about what the hormones found in regular milk allegedly do to their bodies.
I never forget, however, that I'm lucky to even be able to make that commitment. In some places in the U.S. you can't get fresh food at any price. In the worst neighborhoods of most cities there are plenty of families, but often no supermarkets. Mothers are left to feed their kids a diet heavy on junk food because their schedules and situation (i.e., no car) make it nearly impossible to commute to a different neighborhood to buy groceries.
Read another page of The New York Times and you'll see in other parts of the globe, even junk food would be luxurious. A hungry mob is an angry mob and food riots are breaking out in Haiti and elsewhere.
I love to eat organic, but I have to confess even as Mommy Greenest I have always thought of it as a luxury. Frankly, before I really dedicated myself, "It's organic" seemed to be what other mommies said at playgroup meals to seem superior, as if it were a status symbol.
But a friend here in Maplewood is an organic eater who doesn't do it for the feelings of superiority. She is genuinely concerned about the additives and hormones they pump into milk, chicken, even shampoo. She was recently telling me how hard it's become to afford to feed her son and daughter organic food. (Aside from milk, nearly everything my sons eat is absolutely processed to the hilt--nuggets, frozen pizza, pepperoni. Not that I'm saving much money, but I can't fight those meal-time battles.) The writer's strike has slowed her work as an actress, and she's cutting back left and right to maintain her commitment to keep her kids organic.
What we don't want is for organic food to become like health care in this country: Something you'd like to think is a right but really is increasingly becoming a privilege.
© The Green Guide, 2008
Discuss this blog
posted by ravenrose23 on 2008-04-23 21:27:59
I would love to eat more organic foods. I know how much better they are for my family. How ever we can not afford to buy organic. I know how everyone says go slow don't change everything at once. Which is what we are doing. However when you are talking food, you need to replace it on a regular basis. So when we go shopping we buy the enviromently safer products, I use cloth napkins and I am switching schools so I don't have to drive 1 1/2 hrs to and from school. (I am going to a community college and plan on taking the bus.) However I feel that the healthy foods, the better cleaning products everything is only for the wealthy. Or at least mucher better off. As a mom on disability, I do the best I can getting the healthy foods. Sadly it is often either a couple of organic or healthier foods or buy a larger quanity to feed my family for the week. I am glad summer is coming. I know of a couple of local markets that will be a great source for fdresh fruits & veggies.
posted by ecomoderate on 2008-04-24 21:43:46
I try to buy as many organic items as possible. I struggle with buying non organic for my family but when the money is tight I try to buy at least the dirty dozen organic. I think it is a step by step process and what is affordable for you. My hope is that one day organic is the mainstream and only products available and are affordable for all people.
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