Organic food

Lorena Rich
ID:80567382
RWS 1301

In this paper I will be explaining the amazing benefits of organic food and the
downfalls of non-organic food, in order to strengthen my piece. I will also be showing
the other side of the argument; the reasons people believe you should not buy organic
food. I did a lot of research looking at articles talking about both sides. Some were for
and others were, against. I will be addressing in detail the reasons for which people
should buy and the reasons for which people are resistant to buy, and with that you can
see one side is much more beneficial.
Youve probably heard about organic food, or have you? One of the reasons you
may not be buying organic food is because there is a lack of advertisement. My opinion
on organic food before I did this research was that it was just more expensive type of
food. I learned a lot from this research, including all the reasons as to why people buy
and do not buy organic foods, also the demographics of people who buy or do not buy
this type of food.
Many people do not buy organic food, and this is disappointing. Many people are
not aware of the benefits of buying organic food because they are not aware of the
dangers of non-organic food. Im sure youve heard that conventional foods have
pesticides and hormones to make them bigger, plumper and prettier. Organic food is
one of the biggest growing food industrys but still does not compare in size to
conventional food. According to Walter J. Crinnion (2010), Organic foods contain Higher
Levels of Certain Nutrients, Lower Levels of Pesticides, and May Provide Health
Benefits for the Consumer, organic food consumption Is one of the fastest growing
segments of U.S. domestic foodstuffs. Sales of organic food and beverages grew from
$1 billion in 1990 to $21.1 billion in 2008 and are on track to reach $23 billion in 2009.

(p. 4). This is a huge growth in a short period of time. We still have a long way to go in
order to be the top selling food over conventional food.
There are many reasons for which people do not buy organic food. According to
the Journal of Consumer Behavior, in the article, Who are Organic food Consumers? A
Compilation and review of Why People Purchase Organic Food, they list 15 reasons as
to why people do not or do purchase organic food. The reasons for which people
purchase are, Its healthier, it tastes better, environmental concerns, concern over
animal welfare, concern over food safety, to support local economy, is wholesome,
reminiscent of the past and fashionable. Some of The reasons people do not purchase
is rejection of high prices, lack of availability, skepticism of certification, insufficient
marketing, satisfaction with current food source, and cosmetic defects. (Hughner, 2015
p. 8-11).
If you look at the reasons why people do not purchase versus why people
purchase the reasons people purchase organic food greatly out weigh the reasons
people do not. For example worries about the environment is a much more valid
reasons for purchasing organic than is not buying organic because it is not pretty
enough. Some people do not believe that organic food is healthier, that depends a lot on
where is grown and the soil. Some people do not know enough about organic food and
like one of the articles I read we need to begin to use social media to spread awareness
of organic food and the companies that sell the good stuff. As we all know social media
is one of the best ways to reach people. It is also cheap and easy. So many people use
social media, this would also reach young people who can start to learn now and
purchase organic in the future. In the article, Social Media for Organic Food Production,

By Lohr, He talks about social media for business, Social media is changing the
business landscape and redefining how businesses communicate across their channels
of distribution and with their customers. (Rapp et al., 2013). Social media could be so
useful for the spread of organic food.
Not only is organic food good for you but it is good for the environment. Not only
can pesticides and hormones harm you, but they also harm the environment so even if
you do not think organic food is important for your body you can at least know you are
helping the environment. The view that consumers have are correct and should warrant
a change, Organic consumers view the chemicals and pesticides used in conventional
food products as being environmentally harmful, while organic foods are perceived as
being environmentally friendly This is not just a view the pesticides that are sprayed
also go into the air and over time can cause damage. While the totals are staggering,
so too is the infinitesimal amount of those five billion pounds a year that actually make it
to the target pest - less than 0.1 percent. No one has accounted for where the other
99.9 percent ends up, and it is known these compounds can travel thousands of miles
around the globe. Both the amount of pesticide residue on foodstuff and the amount
released into the atmosphere are factors that should he considered when individuals
purchase organically raised food. (Crinnion, 2010. p.6). About 99.9 percent of
pesticides go into the air and into the lungs of the farmers who spray it the negatives
definitely out weigh the positives when it comes to organic food.
Some people who oppose organic food mainly believe it is a gimmick and it is
just expansive but there are so many different benefits to contradict this belief. The pros
not only include your health but the health of those around you and not to mention the

support for local farming that would only help the economy and the environment to grow
stronger. Who doesnt want that?
So many people believe in the paleo diet, not only because it is good for weight
loss but also because it is considered to be very healthy considering it is commonly
called the caveman diet. It is what our ancestors used to eat its all natural. The same
goes for organic food. Organic food has to be healthier considering there are no
chemicals in it. It is all natural. This is why I believe the main issue with people not
buying organic food is because they are not well informed if more people were informed
the prices of organic food would go down is the demand is high.
People need to stop looking at organic food consumption as a fad and start
recognizing it like a way of life, something that improves so many things at once.
Conventional food contains so many harmful chemicals. Although risk of chemicals
causing harm in the short term the long term can make a big difference in your way of
life.
I believe that consuming organic food will better your way of life and will better
the life of those around you. You can improve the environment, the economy of your
city, and the health of yourself and farmers. In order to put this all into action we need to
use the tools we have like social media to put the word out there and spread the
awareness.

Citations

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