Pesticide Free Produce is Growing in Popularity
Until four or five years ago, Montgomery area supermarkets didn't offer much in the organic produce category. You might find a bin with a few organic apples, bananas and carrots, but that was pretty much it.
Since then, though, organic produce and other products have really taken off. You can find such fresh foods as raspberries, blue¬berries, green beans, squash, baby spinach, onions, avocados, sweet potatoes, bananas, tomatoes, bak¬ing potatoes and pears.
"The organic category continues to grow at a rapid pace, and at this time, there is very little indication that it will slow down anytime soon," said Maria Brous of Publix Super Markets, which offfers an assortment of fresh-picked favorites. And organic is the fastest-growing category in produce.
In this area, organic carrots, apples and tomatoes are really big, she said.
So what's the difference between a regular apple and one that is organic? It all depends on how the apple was grown.
Organic production is based on farming that maintains and replenishes soil fertility without the use of toxic and persistent pesticides and fertilizers, antibiotics, synthetic hormones and genetic engineering.
Consumers should look for the "USDA Organic" seal or other approved labeling.
That label, of course, also means higher prices. Organic squash, for example, is $4.99 for a 10-ounce package as opposed to $1.49 per pound for the regular variety. Organic Red Delicious apples are $2.99 per pound compared with $1.29 per pound for regular. Organic sweet potatoes are $2.49 per pound, and regular ones are 99 cents per pound. Some items like baby carrots, are $1.99 per bag for both organic and regular.
Brous said, "Although there is typically a premium for organics, we've seen the gap between organ¬ic and traditional produce shrink over the last couple of years. We are working with our growers to continue this trend."
George Paris of the Alabama Department of Agriculture and In dustries said that the price of organic produce will probably always be at least a bit higher than commercially produced products. The reason: organic farming is labor intensive and prohibits the use of chemicals, certain types of fertilizers and weed- and insect-control methods.
But more farmers are going organic. Three or four years ago, organic farming was just beginning to take hold in Alabama. At this time, Alabama doesn't offer certification, but it is available out of state.
Most of the state's organic operations are producing squash, to¬matoes, okra, beans, peas, melons, blueberries and blackberries. They are available in local super¬markets, farmers markets and other outlets.
"Alabama hasn't caught up with the rest of the country. We're still a little bit behind the curve, but we're catching up," he said.
By Robyn Bradley Litchfield • April 16, 2008
Sources include: USDA, Organic Trade Association, slashfood.com
SOURCE: http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080416/LIFESTYLE/804160350