Are you willing to pay premium price for organic food?

[jason69]

Guys and Girls, so here is the deal.

Organic is getting better image around the world, especially Europe and North America. People have been more aware of health benefits that an Organic Food can offer.

So are you willing to pay premium price for Organic Food? How much, in percentage?

Kindly vote and share your views, if any.

Yeahh!! I can pay 25-50% more for Organic Food

Yeahh!! I can pay 11-24% more for Organic Food

Yeahh!! I can pay up to 10% more for Organic Food

Nop. I'll buy Organic if its price is the same as Non-Organic

Nop. I m better off with Non-Organic. 

Updates

+1 y

Guys, please keep away from the discussion of food requirement of 7 billion people.

If Organic is produced, 3 billion will die of starvation and all that. Ample of food is there. Plus cultivated land is only 20-30% of the land available.

I've got truck load of facts and figures to nullify that ground. But m not here for being Judgemental.


I represent my country here and I'll try my best not to harm its image in the eyes of my fellow GAG members.

[NotJustAnotherGuy]

I voted E. And I know some people are like "Why not D? it's a free upgrade!" But it's not. Organic food is not practical as the only source of food. Non-organic/genetically engineered/chemically protected/etc.. is a necessity to produce the quantity needed for 7 billion consumers.

Practicality is important. So if anything, buying organic is bad for the future of the world-- because it's impractical. I would rather put my money to the industry that's gonna make production faster and healthier over time.. rather than the alternative-- which is the organic industries whose sole purpose is to do things the same.

So although I know it will only served to erk the QA rather than persuade anyone already set in their ways... I vote E, for the prosperity and development of our society over A-D, which stand not only as a myth of purity but also stand as a halt to our progression as they steal funding to continue archaic methods rather than attempt to expand and enrichen our current technology..

[jason69]

Disagree. I appreciate your concern for the betterment of the world.

Look at this facts:

In the Asian, African and Latin American countries, well over 500 million people are living in what the World Bank has called "absolute poverty"

For the price of one missile, a school full of hungry children could eat lunch every day for 5 years

Two thirds of total population is either under-fed or starving.

50 children would have died of STARVATION till you reach the end of this comment.

[jason69]

One out of every eight children under the age of twelve in the U.S. goes to bed hungry every night.

To satisfy the world's sanitation and food requirements would cost only US$13 billion- what the people of the United States and the European Union spend on perfume each year.

This is the facts given by W.H.O.

No offense for any country. I respect every country and people thereof.

You still think its about production? No its about MONEY. Its about POVERTY.

[NotJustAnotherGuy]

Okay it's about money.. let's take your wording then.

Then if you know anything about sales its that cost is determined by supply and demand. Demand for food, based on all your little "fun facts" you wanted me to look at, is really high. So high demand. And again based on your fun facts, supply is low. That leads to high costs. So how do you fix the MONEY issue? You increase production. High supply, low (relative to quantity for sale) demand = extremely cheap food.

[NotJustAnotherGuy]

Now I told you how non-ogranic food helps to fix the problem. Now you tell me how organic (low production) food helps to fix that money problem!

Disagree, fine. But give me a logical reason.

[jason69]

I never said that Organic can solve starvation problem.

Do you think Non organic can solve the Starvation problem?

It has not solved in past, an won't in future.

Starvation is caused by POVERTY. not PRODUCTION.

They can see the food in store. Its AVAILABLE. They can't buy it. THEY DONT HAVE MONEY.

If you are unable to understand my view, I recomnand you to ask someone who has got Phd in Economics. With all due respect, m helpless.

[jason69]

An off the topic question: did you write that poem by your own? The one which is in your peofile info.

[NotJustAnotherGuy]

What does the food industry do if they can't sell all their product? Reduce the price. If we produce so much corn that the price drops to 1/10th of it's original value.. how does that not help to end starvation?

Take for example cars. Initially, no one could afford them because not many were produced.. Now they're produced much more rapidly and almost everyone has one. Same with electric cars now. Right now, no one can afford them. Once the technology advances, everyone will be able to.

[NotJustAnotherGuy]

Maybe this will help enlighten you on the drastic effects genetically modified plants are having on society: link

And yes, I wrote the poem on my own.

[jason69]

That was a nice poem.

Over to your previous comment. Look beyond united states. And excess production, and why excess majority of production is exported to developed economy. Just go through statistics of world production. Who produces what. You'll have an idea.Why is there production of flowers? You can't feed people with tulips and roses. Think over it.

But I guess this discussion is taking a wrong turn.

Question was are you willing to pay premium price?

A simple "No" would save our energy.

[jason69]

Sorry for faulty syntex of 2nd-3rd line.

I can discuss it whole the day. But we are not here for that, are we?

So be happy with your view. M happy with mine. :-)

[michael0314]

In a word, yes. I haven't assigned a price percentage threshold, but, I pay what I need to in order to have unadulterated food. I grow many vegetables in summer, and I also buy from local produce stands. I make a point of canning and freezing as much as I can when things are in season, and this helps defray costs. I keep a year round herb garden. People that think there is no difference between clean, chemical free food and processed foods loaded with hormones and who knows what chemicals just don't know.

[jason69]

Thank you for the comment Michael.

[Anonymous]

It would depend on the food. Non-orgniac live stock normally has antibiotics and fattening hormones put in to it, so I would definitely go for organic meat and milk. Milk isn't much more expensive than non-organic (sometimes only one 1p more). Meat is a lot more expensive, but still, I will always go for organic meat. Plus, the live stock is more likely to be treated better.

As for fruit and vegetables, I know that with certain fruit/veg is important to have it pesticide free as the pesticides are absorbed very well, while with others, the pesticides only reach the skin, so it is less important.

However, I think generally it is best to go organic anyway because it is better for our enviornment regardless of how much healthier it is.

[jason69]

I'm impressed with your view. Thanks for imparting your knowledge. :-)

[Opinion Owner]

Thank you. I'm flattered :)

[Ada-Fae]

I definitely would be willing to, and do, pay more for anything organic. Not from the store, though. I prefer to get my food directly from the source, from individual farmers. I'm actually really excited about next year, when I will be get fresh food delivered every week, for twenty weeks. I plan on canning all the extras, so I have less of the more processed stuff to buy during the winter months.

Currently I'm looking for places that does milk shares, too, as it is illegal to sell raw milk in Canada.

[jason69]

+1.

You have madw a nice planning.

The last sentence was bit shocking! Is it so throughout Canada?

[Ada-Fae]

Unfortunately, yes. And very few places do cow shares, especially in the provinces near me, because it is a little risky.

[xzinax2]

no. I do think it's better,sure there is no change in the nutritional value,but chemicals in your body are still chemicals in your body-it's just that,while I do care for my body,i'm vegan,i work out-it's just that,i don't really feel the need to live a 100 years,so no,i will not pay more. but,if you have the money and will-i say,go for it,it is a good investment

[jason69]

+1. I agree.

[Blobb]

Most of the organic and bio stuff is an absolute joke. It's just a label so they can triple the price. Explain to me how a normal egg is different from a bio egg? They both come out of a chicken the same way, but one is triple the price cause it has pretty green label on it...

Sometimes bio can taste better. But quite honestly if I'm gonna pay triple the price I might aswell grow my own stuff and be absolutely sure it's going to be tasty. I'll buy bio if it's the same price though.

[jason69]

Yeah. I agree with you. There is virtuallyno scientific proof of Organic Being tastier or healthier.

But Atleast we can be assured that our environment is safe.

But I appreciate your willingness to go for Organic if price is at par with that of Non Organic.

[Anonymous]

It depends on the actual fruit/vegetable. Some it matters, some it doesn't.

For example, some fruit like bananas where you don't even eat the outside is less when preyed and can be washed and it's fine, but some have very permeable skin that you also eat like lettuce so washing off that "evil evil anti-bug-spray" is a false sens of security because it's impossible.

I didn't vote, because it simple depends on the product. Is it worth it? It depends. But if it was the same price or cheaper, you're better of with organic.

[jason69]

Yeah. It makes sense.

[Anonymous]

I lost almost 50 lbs switching to an organic diet. I now avoid GMO's, pesticides, and high fructose corn syrup like the plague. There is a reason why America is so unhealthy. I wouldn't be surprised if the massive increase in cancer affected Americans is because of our diet and all the poison we put into it.

[jason69]

Agree.

People are unaware of potential carcinogens they consume each day.

In addition, how can we forget the environmental view point when we are part of it? If its endangered, we also will be.

Thanks for the comment. :-)

[djvtech]

You didn't lose 50 lbs from "eating organic" You lost it from "eating healthy" organic or not. But yeah, GERF!

[Prof_Don]

I believe that anyone that votes "E" is foolish. Why wouldn't you take a free upgrade?

I voted "C" because I understand organic costing a bit more, and am willing to pay a bit more, but the price differential is ridiculous! :-X

[jason69]

+1 because I can't give more. You are right. "free upgrade" stuff was nice one.

Price diffetential is really disproportionate. In fact, its like robbing some health/environment conscious people.

[ziva123]

The only difference between an organic, and a non-organic apple, is the ammount of worms in them. You see- I prefer my food clean, and non-infested by creepy crawlers like bugs you'd find in organic food.

That, and it's a major hoax. There has been no proof what so ever to build a foundation to the statement that "organic food is better".

Besides- how hard is it really to rinse your salad in water to get rid of the "evil evil anti-bug-spray"?

[6Paul11]

No way in hell will I buy organic anything. It's a scam in my opinion. People buy it to feel good about themselves. It's a shame what people will do out of insecurity. Every time I drive by whole foods, I see fat girls in yoga pants, stuffing their faces with organic chocolate and sipping on $6 kale and wheatgrass smoothies.

I eat non organic on purpose and in principle. I lost 30 lbs in a month and a half, and I eat In N' Out whenever I feel like it.

[jason69]

Well, I appreciate your opinion. Thank you.

[cavmanier]

Weird I never see overweight people in wholefoods.

[6Paul11]

I do every time I drive by. Rich soccer moms in their Hybrid Escalades (another rant on its own) come to spend their husbands' paychecks on whatever the latest fad may be. Lots of them have more rings than Saturn!

[jason69]

6paul11: I am not a diet expert. M layman so far as dieting is concerned. But simple logic is that if you eat more than what is needed, your body will store it for future. Organic/non organic doesn't matter.

I had read somewhere that it takes 15 minutes for the brain to decide that stomach has taken optimum food. So if you eat slowly, you will eat less.

One more thing. Body weight is not bad. Body Fat is bad.

[6Paul11]

That's mostly true. I've never heard of the 15 minute thing, but I have heard of eating slowly. It's calories in, calories out. Those dilletante, organic, health junkies don't seem to get it.

If you're referring to my weight loss, yes I lost the fat.

[jason69]

Thats great. What's you view on cod-liver oil?

[6Paul11]

I think it's a waste. I stick to calorie counting and exercise. It's brutally honest, gimmick free, and time tested and proven.

[sweet_18]

When it's well within my budget I'll buy. I'm currently not wealthy though. Otherwise I'm all for organic. What we put into our bodies is of utmost importance

[jason69]

+1.

Price needs to be aligned properly.

My wished for you: May God help you to be wealthy as soon as possible, to afford everything Organic. :-)

[sweet_18]

Thanks!

[TheGodEmperorLeto]

The facts show Organic Food is no better than non-organic food. And, in fact, if we were to ONLY grow organic food, we could only feed 4 billion people. Which 3 billion are you going to tell they don't get to eat and will die?

[michael0314]

"the facts show"?

[jason69]

If I rephrase your sentence, it would sound:

"Jason, according to facts available to me, there is no significant health benefit of having organic food. In addition, due to low productivity, food enough for only 4 billion could be produced. So there can be risk of starvation on other 3 billion. "

Sounds different?

Now listen(read). And that, too, carefully.

If I ask are you willing to pay premium?

Your answer should be simply No.

Respect people. They'll respect you.

[BellaBella12]

But what about when the population of bees have continued to drop because of the pesticides and there aren't enough left to pollonate the food?

If it continues, the price of almost all food will soar. Even meat because the animlas are fed on food that has been pollenated.

[jason69]

@theGodEmperorLeto: I was out of space in previous comment. So continue...

"The United States is blessed with more

arable land than any other nation on

earth. Still, only about one-fifth of our

land area (382 million acres) is used for

crop production."

"www.epa.gov/oecaagct/ag101/landuse.html"

so don't worry about those 3 billion people.

Have you heard the word, Hydroponics? You can produce up to 4 times than normal production and that too, without use of pesticides.

[TheGodEmperorLeto]

link

learna bout the man who saved A BILLION PEOPLE.

[TheGodEmperorLeto]

I'll expand, learn more about how he talks about if we used the total available farm land in the world. IF you take the total farmable land in the world, used only organic means of growth, well, gg, you're still only gonna feed 4 billion people total. The reason we can feed as much as we do is due to genetically engineered food and how it can be more resilient to bugs, to disease, and produce more.

And you might thing organic food helps the small farmer? Nope.

[TheGodEmperorLeto]

Or, if you want a more entertaining way to get facts (and yes, they do state facts) watch this

link

and then this

link

[jason69]

This'll be my last comment for you, dude. Its taking form of an argument.

I don't know if you are very much aware of evolution.

Every plant is capable of protecting itself. Either by help of self generated chemicals or by attracting some "helping-hand" bugs.

The pests are very much adaptable to pesticides and pass on resistant genes to next generation. So by using pesticides, we are making them stronger, technically, in long run.

Genetically modified crops arw poisons, anyway. Wait and watch.

[TheGodEmperorLeto]

And you're speculating and enacting a logical fallacy called "slippery slope." :\ All evidence right now and that has been for awhile is that organic foods are no better than genetically altered foods and, in many ways, worse.

For example, you can only make organic foods with animal sh*t as your fertilizer. Guess how much land it would take to even have enough cows to produce enough manure for organically grown plants for the world? Guess how much CO2 would be thrown into the air if so?

[NotJustAnotherGuy]

The QA doesn't understand that farmed plants don't naturally grow in the areas they're grown... therefore the bugs that it has evolved to adapt to (if any), are not the same set of bugs it will encounter in its new environment.. that and.. most plants defense to bugs is simply regrowth.. not a viable defense when the farmer relies on that plant as a food source this year. So no, plants are not capable of defending themselves in a way that is viable to consumers who NEED the food consistently.

[TheGodEmperorLeto]

@update: fair enough, but I want to state that your facts about how much is used NOW isn't going to counter the facts about how much organic food COULD grow if we used ALL the land. And the facts are still that Organic grown food CANNOT support the planet.

[beastman88]

i don't mind buying organic if it means helping the environment, and pesticide free food. can't wash that stuff off because the plant absorbs it.

[PetiteAsian]

My answer is C. Anyway I eat mostly vegetarian food because I love animals and try to have as few carcasses in my stomach as possible.No offense. :)

[jason69]

Ahha...my friend is here. Pleased to read your answer. :-)

[PetiteAsian]

It is my priority to answer friends' questions on GAG.Otherwise,I don't know what friends on this site are for.

[PetiteAsian]

However,my answer is 'A' when comes to organic shampoo and conditioner because I try to have as little chemicals as possible on my hair.I have straight black hair,never permed or dyed before.

[jason69]

Organic Shampoo...! That sounds good.

[supersean123]

Animals are for eating. If you don't eat yours I'm going to have your share.

[PetiteAsian]

@supersean123:I didn't say that there's anything wrong with eating animals.God says that they are for us to eat.It's just that I feel sorry for them because they go through so much pain when they are being slaughtered.If you watch those documentaries that show how they are being slaughtered,you would know what I mean. :)

[Brando]

No, I see nothing wrong with the food I eat now and for the price I pay for it. I don't care about images or popularity of foods.

The world is so adamant on the whole bottled water craze, yet it seems like I'm the only person who still drinks from the tap. I have the same reasoning on this food topic.

[jason69]

Well, Our views have disagreement here.

Tap water and Organic food is non comparable stuffs.

If you want to compare, it should have been Bottled water Vs. River Water.

Tap water is still not "virgin" anyway.

Bottled water is treated at max, I guess. So its off the list already.

See the logic?

River water=Organic Food

Tap water= semi organic food

Bottled water= non organic.

I do not want anyone to agree with me simply because I believe in something. Atleast make proper comparison. :-)

[Brando]

You completely missed the analogy. I wasn't comparing bottled water to organic food, I was drawing the comparison in the "tap water is no longer clean" craze vs. "our food is no longer safe" craze.

Ya dig?

[jason69]

Tap water is no longer clean, if compared to River water, anyway.

In addition,

Pesticides contain such chemicals which don't show its effect directly.

It can cause genetic mutation. Damage to neurons. And carcinogenic effect.

You don't experience its effect overnight.

[jenndrop24]

Not sure where I just saw this and if you google it you may find the report stated that there is no nutritional difference in organic foods.

[jason69]

Yeah.You are right. I've read it. There is no proven health benefit.

But there are proven environmental benefits.

[Settingemstraight]

Organic is crap grown in crap that drags real farmers' reputations through the crap.

It's not better. It's a lie and it's worse for the environment

[Konnour]

No - I live from unhealthy food but I'm slim all over.. maybe the food in Europe IS better though..

[jason69]

Carcinogens provokes cancer even if its from Europe.

Being smil has nothing to do with organic/non organic it depends on your voracity:-)

Thanks for the answer.

[Konnour]

Actually - mobile phones and exhaust gases are way more cancerous than food additives..

[Anonymous]

I buy most of my groceries at whole foods so I guess I'm OK with paying more for my organic food.

[Enideqa]

I pay about 10% more.

[Anonymous]

No, only because I don't have premium money.

[Anonymous]

No