5 Reasons to Purchase Certified Organic Products in 2024

Have you heard about the benefits of eating an organic diet or purchasing USDA-certified organic beauty products but have yet to get the hype? I’ve been there. My mother is a HUGE proponent of everything organic, and I was fortunate to grow up eating and using organic products. 

This all changed when I moved out and was on my own. The cost of USDA-certified organic items seemed like a luxury I couldn’t afford. I wasn’t convinced the pros of buying certified organic products outweighed the potential hole I would burn in my wallet. 

Buying organic food doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg—stay tuned— I’ll reveal how in this blog.

What is USDA Certified Organic and Why Does it Matter?

Organic is used when labelling food or other agricultural products produced according to the USDA organic standards. These standards prohibit nasty things like synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, irradiation and genetic engineering and encourage methods that foster cycling of resources, promoting ecological balance and conserving biodiversity. 

Many companies can claim to be organic, but USDA certification is necessary to ensure what metric they follow. If you’re based outside the United States, check what regulations your home country follows when buying organic produce. Local farms may operate organically but not be able to afford the certification—check in with your local farmer to find out more.

With a basic understanding of USDA-certified organic, let’s dive into why it matters.

1. Buying Organic Means No Worrying About Chemicals and Pesticides

Organic farmers do not add chemicals to improve a crop’s growth. Fruits and vegetables from certified organic farms are safe to eat and follow seasonal cycles. Organic farming has become commercialized since it is in high demand. More crops that are USDA-certified organic are available off-season. A word to the wise: be wary of USDA-certified organic produce available off-season. This can only be accomplished by growing produce indoors.  

2. Buying Organic Produce Means Mouthwatering Taste 

Have you ever taken a bite of a glossy gigantic apple that looked perfect but found it tasted like soap? The chemicals that went into producing the unnatural, waxed dipped and chemical-laden apple diminish the taste. Seasonal organic food tastes a million times better. 

3. Buying Organic Equals Sustainability

Organic produce usually comes directly from the farm to your table. It saves packaging and shipping, which decreases our carbon footprint. Instead of using your purchasing power to support food shipped from halfway around the world, join a CSA (community-supported agriculture). Not only does a CSA provide local veg, but you also get to eat what is fresh from the field. Instead of eating a salad that looks like it’s seen better days, bite into a crisp bite of baby kale. Also, you’ll discover SO many new vegetables. I had tatsoi for the first time because that was what my CSA offered, and it was mouth-watering.  

4. Buying Organic is Great For Your Skin

My skin is lit since switching to an all-organic diet and cutting out pesticide-laden foods. I have a natural glow, and my T-zone is clear for the first time since college. The pesticides in our foods wreak havoc on our skin. Check out the EPA’s guidelines for what to do if chemicals splash your skin if you don’t believe me. You might be thinking, well, if a large amount of concentrated chemicals gets you off, it would be wrong. Every day consuming microdoses of pesticides can’t be good.

5. If Not For You, For the Animals!

As an animal lover, often, my motivation to change my lifestyle isn’t for myself. If I’m being honest, I’ve never been super health-conscious. The main concern for me, the things that keep me up at night, is what about the animals? My litmus test is: How must the birds feel if I am concerned about pesticides ruining my health? If you don’t get how the birds factor in, I suggest you check out Rachel Carlson’s Silent Spring, and the link is attached to a free PDF. 

Are You Going to Give Eating Organic a Try?

Now, I mentioned buying organic didn’t have to break the bank. I’ll tell you a secret: I have saved money eating an array of vibrant green vegetables and luscious fruit but stopped shopping at the supermarket. I signed up for a CSA and buy my veg from local organic farmers. Shockingly, their prices are much more reasonable than buying USDA-certified organic from significant companies like Driscoll.  And the taste! Don’t even get me started.

To learn more about signing up for a CSA, check out What is a CSA and 8 Reasons to Join One.