Is Organic Meat Worth the Money?
In today’s tight economy where grocery bills are getting higher and higher, is it worth it to spend more money on organic meat? For many people who want to live an organic lifestyle, the answer is yes.
The reason why organic meat is expensive to begin with is because of the manufacturing guidelines that must be met in order to be considered organic. One of the requirements is that the animals must be free-roaming, which means having access to the outdoors as much as possible. Secondly, they must not be given antibiotics or animal by-products in their feed. And in addition, the land must be totally organic, right down to the fence posts. Once all of these standards are met, the farm is given organic status.
Moreover, it’s costly to process the meat so that it meets organic quality standards. High pressure is used to process the meat so that it not only rids the meat of any excess bacteria, but offers a longer shelf life as well. As a result, there’s no need for preservatives. The consumer ends up paying for all these added costs of running an organic farm so that’s the reason why organic meat is so expensive.
The USDA has strict guidelines in order to receive the certified organic label. The guidelines include using certified organic feed, no hormones used in the production of the meat, no pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, preservatives, nitrates, or synthetic fertilizers used. Animals are treated humanely and grain and hay are used to reduce E. coli bacteria.
The higher cost of organic meat is worth it to someone who wants to live a healthier lifestyle. If you choose to purchase organic meat, check the package to make sure the label says certified organic. If you want to get organic meat as cheaply as possible, consider joining an organic food co-op or shop your local farmer’s market where you can talk to the farmers themselves and ask questions to make sure you are buying organic meat.
Share ThisInterested in making the switch to eating organic foods? Organic Home Online is where you’ll find how to gradually transform your home and hearth to organic style.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eunice_Coughlin