Continued from Part I.
Two days ago while shopping I did some price comparisons between organic and conventional, because the Organic Trade Association tells me:
Generally, organic produce is often priced 20-25 percent higher at retail than conventional produce. But the differential may be twice as much, or only a few pennies. –Organic Trade Association Flier
First off, please note that the above paragraph doesn’t say a damn thing. Pure fluff! It’s like saying, “Tomorrow there’s a great chance of rain. However, it may be sunny and warm, or perhaps cold and damp.”
The word “often” to me means “more cases than not.” Websters says it means, “Many times; frequently; in many cases.” I wouldn’t be here bitching if that were the case. Last night at Ray’s Supermarket conventional grapes were on sale for $1.99 for two pounds. The organic cost was $2.99 per pound, or $5.98 for the same two pounds Ray’s was selling. Have you ever seen organic grapes on sale?
Here are some prices from three different stores.
Bananas
Conventional = $.79 lb.
Organic = $.99 lb.; $1.19 lb.
Bell Pepper, Red
Conventional = $3.99 lb.; 2 for $4
Organic = $4.99 lb.; $5.99 lb.; $6.99 lb.;
Broccoli
Conventional = $1.49 lb. (crowns)
Organic = $1.99 lb. (nasty); $2.49 lb.; $2.99 lb.
Cabbage, Green
Conventional = $.69 lb.
Organic = $1.49 lb.; $1.79 lb.; $1.99 lb.
Cabbage, Napa
Conventional = $1.98 lb.
Organic = $2.89 lb.
Cantalope
Conventional = $.58 lb.; $.69 lb.
Organic = $.79 lb.; $.99 lb.
Carrots
Conventional = $.79 lb.
Organic = $1.99 bunch; $2.29 bunch (< 1 lb. including greens )
Cauliflower
Conventional = $1.29 lb.; $1.39 lb.
Organic = 1.98 lb.; $1.99 lb.
Celery
Conventional = $1.28 lb.
Organic = $1.39 lb. (this only recently came down.); $1.99 lb.
Crimini Mushroom
Conventional = $2.99 lb.; $3.99 lb.
Organic = $5.99 lb.
Cucumber
Conventional = $.79 ea.; $.88 ea.
Organic = 2 for $3; $1.29 ea; $1.99 lb.
Peaches
Conventional = $1.98 lb.; $1.99 lb.
Organic = $2.99 lb.; $3.29 lb.
Red and Black Cherries
Conventional = $3.99 lb.
Organic = $4.99 lb.; $5.99 lb.; $7.99 lb.
Strawberries
Conventional = $3.98 lb.
Organic = $4.98 lb.
Tomatoes
Conventional = $1.99 lb.
Organic = $3.29 lb.; $3.99 lb.; $4.49 lb.
Yam
Conventional = $.99 lb.; $1.88 lb.
Organic = $1.99 lb.; $2.59 lb.
Zucchini
Conventional = $.88 lb.
Organic = $.98 lb.; $1.99 lb. (local)
I haven't yet seen organic cost only a few pennies more except for California broccoli that was on sale for the same price as conventional during the peak growing season. The rest of the time the increase for organic is anywhere from 70 to 100 percent or more. I ate a lot of conventional asparagus this spring for $1.49 a pound while the organic asparagus was a consistent $5.99 a pound.
This weekend I'll visit the farmers' market and check out their prices.
Continue to Part III.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Do you think this is because Eugene has such a high concentration of people who favor organic for ideological reasons? That it’s a much bigger deal there than some places?
We actually do get organic grapes on sale here occasionally, about 50 cents more than the regular, and often get the same price for organics when they are on sale, or for certain items like ginger. I don’t think we’re paying more than 25-30% higher when we get organic full price, and we can sometimes get it at a comparable price on sale. We live about 4 1/2 hours north of you.
At the farmer’s market, we usually pay the same price as the non-sale price at the grocery store.
Oh, I think so. Big dreadlock, save Gaia, open-your-chakras crowd here. And demand determines price like in any market. I’ve seen few things on sale. Broccoli was on sale for $1.39 per pound organic from California during the peak season. That’s about all that stands out. And I was pretty stoked when celery dropped to $1.39 per pound.
I envy you your prices. Most stuff here is twice as much for organic than conventional.
My husband asked if there was a farmer’s market in Springfield, and/or if their organic prices were any better than in Eugene proper. Might be worth the trip.
If you are ever in our area up here, e-mail me, and I’ll let you know where to shop.
I usually don’t ever go to Springfield, so I didn’t even think of that. Duh. I looked on the Internet, and they have a farmers’ market on Fridays. Thanks for filling in the gaps of my brain
And I’ll let you know if I’m up your way. Thanks!