Beyond the Organic Label

The organic-versus-conventional debate distracts from more impactful food decisions. Someone eating conventional broccoli is healthier than someone eating organic cookies.

Local and seasonal produce — organic or not — often tastes better and keeps more nutrients because it travels shorter distances and ripens naturally. A farmers-market tomato picked yesterday often beats an organic tomato shipped from another continent on both taste and nutrients.

If budget is tight, frozen vegetables are an excellent choice. They are flash-frozen at peak ripeness, locking in nutrients, and frozen organic often costs less than fresh conventional.