Why I Love Slate Magazine, or Why the "Organic Is Better" Argument Just Doesn't Hold Up

I have some family members who will definitely begrudge this post, but I'm posting it anyway. For the past few years, everybody seems to be talking about "organic" food (totally stupid moniker, by the way -- all food is chemically organic). It has definitely become a fashionable product. Anybody who's anybody buys and eats organic food. That's the feeling I get from nearly everyone these days. For me, it's become like conservative vs. liberal politics. If you don't support the organic way of life and praise it's existence, you're wrong. There is no argument for mass production of food. This is why I find myself alone in most all organic food debates.

My usual argument is that we live in a world populated by 6 billion people! How can we expect to feed everyone without mass producing food? Sure, fresh produce grown without pesticides is appealing and very healthy, but it's just not a realistic way to feed everyone, I think. It's SO expensive! And so the health gap between the rich and the poor just keeps getting wider. But let's pretend my argument doesn't hold up. There's still something fishy about the organic craziness going on, here. I'm always wary of arrogant and elitist arguments; I think there's usually something wrong when sentiments of superiority show up. And I really feel like that's what's happening with the organic food movement.

Well, Slate Magazine labels it elitist, too, so I feel very confident saying that it is. I know, I know -- I'm praising Slate right now because it's reinforcing what I already believe. But I think there's truth in the article they recently published, and the writer explained it all much better than I ever could. In the article "Is Whole Foods Wholesome?" author Field Maloney uncovers some not-so-factual "facts" that the prominent organic grocery chain touts in its stores. I'm tempted to just paste the entire article right here so that you will be more inclined to read it, but instead, I will just entice you with an excerpt:

Of course, above and beyond social and environmental ethics, and even taste, people buy organic food because they believe that it's better for them. All things being equal, food grown without pesticides is healthier for you. But American populism chafes against the notion of good health for those who can afford it. Charges of elitism—media wags, in otherwise flattering profiles, have called Whole Foods "Whole Paycheck" and "wholesome, healthy for the wholesome, wealthy"—are the only criticism of Whole Foods that seems to have stuck.

You'll have to read the article to find out what the "dark secrets of the organic food movement" are. Like I said, I can't explain it as well as Maloney, and I really want you to read the article!

Do I like organic food? Sure. Will I ever shop at Whole Foods again? Yes, when I can afford it. All's I'm saying is that there are at least two sides to an argument. So don't pretend that organic food is always better.

Thing I'm thankful for: people who are smarter than me.