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The Price of Eating Organic

            Although organic food products are thought to be generally free of hormones and pesticides, there is little evidence to suggest that paying higher prices for such products lends to any significant health benefits. The goal of this paper is not to discredit organic food as unnecessary or a waste of money; undoubtedly organics appeal to both growers and consumers for a variety of reasons. My intent is to show that eating mostly organic foods does not necessarily translate to increased health benefits. .
             Nationally, the average price paid for one gallon of organic milk and one dozen of organic eggs is $11.54. In contrast, those same items produced through conventional methods are priced significantly lower, coming in at $6.38. This represents 94% price difference for a gallon of milk and 61% for a carton of eggs. These price comparisons are very similar when looking at other items within four of the major food categories. .
             The table below depicts the retail price differences between popular organic and non-organic food items within a major food group. .
             Table1. Price per Unit for Non-organic and Organic Foods at Five Waterville Grocery Stores (based on data collected by Colby College students).
             Product.
             Average Price.
             Non-organic.
             Average Price.
             Organic.
             Percent.
             Difference.
             For Organic.
             Dairy and Eggs.
             Yogurt.
             $0.06/oz.
             $0.13/oz.
             117%.
             Milk.
             $3.79/gal.
             $7.36/gal.
             94%.
             Cheddar Cheese.
             $0.28/oz.
             $0.57/oz.
             104%.
             Eggs.
             $2.59/doz.
             $4.18/doz.
             61%.
             Grain Products.
             Oatmeal.
             $0.17/oz.
             $0.16/oz.
             -6%.
             Cereal.
             $0.23/oz.
             $0.25/oz.
             9%.
             Brown Rice.
             $0.10/oz.
             $0.09/oz.
             -10%.
             Bread.
             $0.14/oz.
             $0.17/oz.
             21%.
             Produce.
             Romaine Lettuce.
             $1.78/head.
             $3.54/head.
             99%.
             Carrots.
             $0.77/lb.
             $1.51/lb.
             96%.
             Bananas.
             $0.57/lb.
             $0.89/lb.
             56%.
             Tomatoes.
             $2.82/lb.
             $4.05/lb.
             44%.
             Red Peppers.
             $2.76/lb.
             $5.89/lb.
             113%.
             Yellow Onion.
             $0.93/lb.
             $1.57/lb.
             69%.
             Apples.
             $1.57/lb.
             $2.34/lb.
             49%.
             Protein Products.
             Peanut Butter.
             $0.12/oz.
             $0.27/oz.
             125%.
             Tofu.
             $0.15/oz.
             $0.19/oz.
             27%.
             Frozen Chicken Breasts.
             $3.46/lb.
             $5.07/lb.
             47%.
             Beef Burgers.
             $3.58/lb.
             $8.39/lb.
             134%.
             Other Products.
             Canned Tomatoes.
             $0.06/oz.
             $0.14/oz.
             133%.
             Grape Juice.
             $0.05/oz.
             $0.


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