There are always new things going on in the organic food industry. It's our hope that, ultimately, natural and organic foods, grown locally, will become available to all. We still have a long way to go, but we're off to a good start.

As much as I'd like to buy all organic products, they're still pretty expensive. Will the prices ever come down?

We believe that prices are slowly going down for certain categories. For example, you can actually pay less by buying organic produce at farm stands or major supermarkets. Keep in mind that not all products need to be purchased organically. If you're concerned about pesticides, for example, avoid regular berries and tomatoes. If you start small, you're still helping farmers who spend more to grow organic products than regular farmers do.

Isn't "organic" just an excuse for people to charge more? Not everyone can afford to buy organic all the time.

It's true that many companies are taking advantage of the organics "movement" and are adding the term "organic" to many high-priced products. It's important to know what the terms mean. The fact that "organic" is on the label doesn't mean that the product is certified organic, or that there aren't harmful products in them. It's important to read labels and compare ingredients. Not everything you buy has to be organic! Some organic products can be avoided. For example, fruits that are peeled can be purchased regularly (i.e. bananas). Organic fruits and vegetables purchased at farm stands help organic farmers, who encourage biodiversity, and that is part of what you're paying more for. Using pesticides is cheap.

Ask yourself why you think organic foods are better, and you'll know how to choose organic products that reflect your values.