Survey Comments
Our team conducted a survey that had three questions in it: (1) On a scale of one to ten how often do you buy organic food? and (2) On a scale of one to ten which food (conventionally grown or organically grown) do you think is better?. We asked people to explain why they answered question 2 the way they did. Here are some of the results we received.
To see the survey's question 1 and 2 results, click here and then scroll down.
Comments from Kids:
The Basic Answer
“Organic” is just a word—it has whatever meaning the big agricultural companies and lobbyists want it to have.
People Who Like Organic Food
Organic food is healthier and often tastes just as good, if not better, than processed food.
I think organic is better because you can close your eyes and not see how ugly the fruit is even though you might miss your mouth.
Organic food is better because your “conventionally” grown food may have pesticides!
Organic food is better because organics look nicer and taste better.
I think organic food is better because it’s healthier.
I think this because organic foods are better for you and they also taste very good.
Organics are best, I think, because you’re not having all that chemical on your food.
Organics have no hormones.
My mom says it is fresh to eat.
Organics are safer than conventionally grown.
People Who Like Conventional Food
Conventionally grown is best because it tastes much better. Organic hot dogs? Bleck!!
People Who Like Both of the Foods
I don’t taste much of a difference between the foods because sometimes I don’t even know if the food is organic or non-organic.
I don’t really care.
They both taste the same.
Comments from Adults:
People Who Like Organic Food
I believe most conventional foods are safe for human consumption, but if given a choice, I would prefer to buy organics because I believe foods with less chemical residue and lower levels of hormones and antibiotics are at least a bit safer than foods with more chemical resident and higher levels of hormones and antibiotics. I also believe that organic farming is more environmentally friendly than conventional farming. Finally, I believe that animals deserve to be treated better than they are on most factory farms.
People are putting more and more antibiotics or pesticides in agriculture products.
Organics are better because they 1) taste better; 2) are fresher; 3) support local farmers; 4) are healthier—no preservatives, no growth hormone or antibiotics, no “unknown” food additives.
I think organic is better for people and better for the environment. Local organic is the best. Less travel=tastes better and better for the earth (less gas/transport).
I think it is common sense that organics are healthier—nature’s way. It is sometimes hard to find them. Further, if it is “Big Organic” from California, then the gas spent in traveling may be so bad for the environment that it outweighs the benefits. Local and organic local is best.
People Who Like Both Foods
I don’t know that sufficient scientific evidence exists one way or the other. Minimizing pesticides and fertilizers seems like a reasonable thing to do, but it is not clear to me that it makes a difference—or at what cost.
Some organic foods are prepared better but that does not mean that other foods are prepared badly. I feel it depends on which food you buy that are or are not organic (e.g., fruits, vegetables, meats). I prefer some to be organic, but not all. If I am willing to eat McDonald’s occasionally, I don’t think it is too risky to eat non-organic things. Organic food can be expensive.