Taking a look at two broccoli crowns, one organic and one conventional, I see more than just a fifty cent difference. I see the difference of years, not just for my own life, but also for the entire world.

Devouring my Grandmother’s meatballs and my Grandfather’s gnocchi at the dinner table on Sunday night lies at the heart of some of my favorite memories growing up. Food brings my family together. I can always buy premade meatballs or pasta, but my family’s passion and connection would be replaced with generic processed products and an arguably less enjoyable meal. Food is more than essential, so why not make the best possible choice with yours?

Organic foods, foods grown without using synthetic fertilizers or pesticides, are one good choice you can make. They can be easily identified by those tiny green USDA certified organic labels. Since 2010, sales of organic foods have increased by about 10% annually, which is an incredible amount of growth by industry standards. This can only mean good things for people who buy food - every family in the U.S.

I can tell from the endless checkout lines in my local Whole Foods that despite the slightly more expensive cost of organic foods, organic food and drink sales are on the rise. Sales of organic products in the United States jumped to $35.1 billion in 2013, up 11.5% from the previous year’s $31.5 billion and was the fastest growth rate in five years.

Eating healthy or organic doesn’t mean I never grab my favorite Ben & Jerry’s ice cream carton, or spend a night at the McDonald’s down the street with friends eating Big Macs. The key is to do everything in moderation. While these foods provide “empty calories,” lots of calories with little nutritional benefits, organic foods provide more effective antioxidants that aid in preventing cancer, vision problems and cognitive malfunctions as well as improving heart health. Pesticide-free produce may not look as appetizing, but if you want fewer harmful chemicals such as cadmium that have been linked to kidney damage and cancer in your body and in the bodies of your family, make the organic choice.

The impact isn’t just on your health - your favorite organic cauliflower or ginger root has far more positive environmental effects than conventional food. Organic agriculture mitigates the greenhouse effect and global warming by sequestering carbon in the soil. Furthermore, replacing pesticides with natural fertilizers such as compost prevents groundwater pollution and enhances soil structure and water infiltration. Organic farming even produces more biodiversity than other farming systems.

Organic Vs. Natural - What's The Difference? According to the USDA, the organic label has a lot more restrictions than food that claims to be "natural.

Regardless of what aisle I venture through, organic foods are becoming more prominent. About three fourths of American grocery stores carry organic foods and the number continues to rise. You can vote with your dollars every time you buy food if you want to see more on the shelves. Compared to conventional farms, organic farms are just as productive, the soil is healthier and energy is used more efficiently. The next time you see two seemingly different broccoli crowns in your local grocery store’s produce section remember you’re not just paying fifty more cents for organic foods, you’re paying for fifty more years for the planet.

References:

Nestle, Marion. What To Eat. North Point Press. 2006

Willett, Walter. Eat, Drink, and Be Healthy. Free Press. 2001

Top photo courtesy of ncalternativecropsandorganics.com