To some of us, living organic is second nature. For others, it sounds foreign or even cult-like. There is a myth that going organic or sustainable is too expensive and difficult. People will say it costs too high. The organic products are too hard to find. Organic foods are not as healthy as the processed man-made items. It is too time consuming. Though some may have merit, often times they are just excuses for those who are afraid to step forward to better themselves and the community that they live in.

We must be aware and conscious of our different practices. What behaviors are benefiting you? What actions are harming the environment you live in? Simple actions such as buying organic foods can have drastic effects on your health and community.

There are obvious benefits to living organica, such as no chemicals and pesticides. Some of us even know that organic products are manufactured using sustainable practices further helping the ecosystem.

First of all, in many studies, organic foods are shown to be healthier* than regular processed foods.  If chemicals are ingested, the body must find a way to get them out. If the body does not dispose of these chemicals and additives in natural ways, they will be stored in the human body. Thus disease, illness, allergies, and other such health ailments can arise. When not using chemicals to enhance food production, minerals actually increase in organic soil and they correspondingly increase in the vegetables as well.

Costs of Living Organic

The simple fact of the matter is that it is easy to go organic. Often times for the essentials like produce, it won’t cost a dime more than regular, un-organic, chemically-enhanced products. The health and nutritional benefits from organic foods do not come with a steep price.

When you support the local organic population, you help it grow and thrive. Buying organic food at your local Co-Op or vegetable stand reaffirms the sustainable practices that all organic farmers use. And here is where you’ll save money as well.

Co-ops always run sales, just like any other store. Knowledge of such sales would have you paying less for organic items than you would for processed ones. Even without sales, buying organic produce at local vegetable stands can be found at similar prices, if you understand the produce seasons. There is no middle person, just directly from the farm field to you. So often prices reflect the cost of the produce and that’s it.

There are also agriculture programs or CSA’s in many cities. For a set fee, either weekly, monthly or yearly, you will have freshly picked organic produce that will be supplied during the growing season. Getting a bundle weekly saves time, gas, money, and shopping hassles, which is a deal in itself. Not to mention that the actual cost of being involved in a CSA is comparable to purchasing the same amount of commercially processed produce.

So the organic essentials are not going to cost more than any commercially supplied produce, with the added benefit that they are healthier for you and that it supports the organic farming community. That’s a win-win situation.

Sustainable Future of Organic Living

Organic products, especially non-essentials can cost about 20% to 30% more than commercial products of the same type. It depends on availability and the difficulty of maintaining organically grown foods. For some this is a major drawback. But it shouldn’t be…

Unlike most commercial companies who market products for profit, many organic and sustainable companies sell products at Fair Trade certified. In a nutshell, Fair Trade equates to fair prices, fair labor, sustainability and community development. This type of production and marketing approach allows people to become and remain independent. Thus they only use the resources available without depleting them.

Growing and building with sustainable resources is the essence of the environmental movement. This gives benefits to both the producer and the buyer. So by paying a little more for some non-essentials, you are allowing others to bring high quality products to market, while reinforcing eco-friendly sustainable practices that we all can live by.

This does not mean everyone is required to fill their cupboards with environmentally friendly or organic products. However, what one can do is buy one organic product, especially if it is Fair Trade certified.

From beauty products to cleaning products, by buying one at a time and you won’t notice the cost differential if any. Take time to study other brands and types to review the costs, the quality and healthy benefits. This is easy to do! Everyone can do this.

Everything boils down to supply and demand. The more demand there will be for something, the more those products will be produced, and the less expensive they will become because of that. It’s classic economics.

For now it gives something back to the producers, while giving something back to the community. But more importantly, you as the consumer will be doing the right thing with the reward of piece of mind.