Is organic food worth the hype? 8 shocking truths about your fresh produce – By Kelsey Fogarty (CNET) / Sept 12 2021
Do organic fruits and vegetables really taste different? Here’s what I found.
This story is part of Road Trip 2021, CNET’s coverage of the Biden administration’s push to grow American manufacturing and make more things in the USA.
I spent two summers working on an organic farm near Nashville. During that time, I witnessed firsthand the meticulous cultivation of food as it traveled from the soil to a customer’s hand. I learned how to produce the food that feeds communities across the US.
Before working there, I’d say I was obsessed with organic food. Trusting that it meant only wonderful things for the human body and the environment, I made sure everything I ate had the organic label. Plus, the process gives farmers more freedom. Even though I’m still a fan, I found that organic food isn’t always healthier. And it’s not always worth the higher price.
As part of CNET’s Made in America series, I want to lift the fog on the food that’s being grown in the US. From health to costs, there are a lot of rumors floating around about the concept of “organic” that may seem simple. It required some personal experience and research to find out the truth. According to a 2019 report from the Food and Drug Administration, domestic farmers provide about two-thirds of the vegetables we consume and just less than half of the fresh fruit.
