Yeah Yeah, I know; Mack used this title a few weeks ago for his blog about the chicken war regarding antibiotic use.

I loved the title and I thought it applied to much more than just labeling chicken as raised without antibiotics or hormones so I will shamelessly plagiarize, copy and steal the title for today’s blog about organic food.

Organic food still makes up a minority of super market purchases, but that portion is increasing by double figures every year.

Whole Foods and Sprouts are popping up everywhere, and the conventional grocery where we shop is increasing shelf space dedicated to organic almost weekly.

They may cost more, and they may be no safer for the consumer or the environment, but the reality is that there are a rising number of shoppers who think that by spending a few more dollars on organic foods they are helping themselves and the planet be healthier.

Neither assumption is true.

Of course most shoppers don’t really understand what organic is, or why it costs more. If a farmer cannot use antibiotics in his/her animals, nor fertilizer on his fields, nor pesticides and insecticides on his crops, he is going to have to use more acres to grow the same crops, and he is going to see animals die where a disease could have been controlled or prevented. Organic is much less efficient than conventional.

Most of the technologies that can be used for efficiency and economics have to be set aside. Yes, I know “natural pesticides” can be used, but they are also very toxic and not all that safe.

Organic foods are not only not better for your health nor the planet’s health, they are terrible for the poor.

To gain the extra acreage needed to raise enough organic products to feed America we are going to have to cut down a whole lot of trees, including our national park lands. How do the tree huggers feel about that?

Many scientific studies, including one by Stanford’s Center for Health Policy, have failed to show any evidence, despite the perception that organic is healthier and nutritionally superior to conventional foods, that there is any health benefit to spending more for organic. Unless spending extra cash to support less efficient farming practices causes one’s mental health to improve.

Members of a church I used to belong to decide to start a community garden plot. I volunteered to be on the planning committee. The first item out of the gate was that the garden had to be organic. I asked what they considered to be organic. The main emphasis was no artificial fertilizer could be applied, meaning the fields would have to lie idle or grow legumes periodically to recharge the soil.

It also meant they intended to spread cow manure on the field, a great way to turn an organic garden plot into an E coli O157:H7 Field of Nightmares.

I resigned.

Once again: Marketing gimmick or choice-provoking information?

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