Buying Organic

Something that I don't understand about American agriculture and corporations is why organic food is so expensive? Obesity is a huge problem in the United States especially, and yet, the cheapest things in grocery stores are greasy salty potato chips and not carrot sticks. Also, potato chips are right in front of the checkout line, so you are more likely to snag them as your checking out rather than running all the way over to the produce.

Here's why organic food is so expensive, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations:

• Environmental protection. For example, rotational periods which are necessary to build soil fertility;

• Higher standards for animal safety and fairness

• Avoidance of health risks to farmers due to inappropriate handling of pesticides 

• Rural development by generating additional farm employment and assuring a fair and sufficient income to producers.

• Supply and demand of organic food. Less people want it than is being produced. 

Nevertheless, here are some tips to getting organic food at a lower price:

• Use coupons
• Buy in bulk. Bring your own plastic container to an organic store and fill up on dried beans for example. Around 5 cans of beans yields 1 pound ( $7 estimate) and 1 pound of dried beans is around $2. 
• Buy store brand organic 
• Buy fruit in its season