Since 1996, the sale of organic foods in America has increased roughly twenty percent every year, from $78 million in 1980 to about $6 billion presently. Almost 50% of the American population buys at least one organic product at least once a month. About one percent of the United States' food supply is grown with organic methods.
Although organic food is the minority now, the use of chemicals to manipulate fertilization of crops, kill insects and help conventional farmers to mass-produce their products was not always used. The demand for mass production of fruits, vegetables and livestock came after the Second World War when food as a whole was extremely scarce. America needed a fast and reliable method to accomplish a massive production of produce and meat in a short amount of time. The use of chemicals worked extremely well for America in this …show more content…
Along with not using any chemicals on the animals or crops that are being cultivated, organic foods are free from genetically modified ingredients. The methods used to produce organic foods are much safer to the environment. Animals are treated much more humanely in organic meat plants, and there has not been a case of mad cow disease in an organic cow in over 20 years. Organic foods are also known to taste better, have more vitamins and minerals, and are more nutritious all around. Concerns about food safety have been on the rise in the last few years due to new techniques used by food manufacturers. Several studies show that strawberries, bell peppers, spinach, cherries and peaches have been found to have the most pesticide content present on them. However, millions around the world readily consume these products. When traces of these dangerous chemicals get into the