The Cornucopia Institute

For many shoppers, the decision often comes down to money. On average, you’ll pay 50 percent extra for organic food, but you can easily end up shelling out 100 percent more, especially for milk and meat. Nevertheless, organic products are one of the fastest-growing categories in the food business. Nearly two-thirds of U.S. consumers bought organic foods and beverages in 2005, up from about half in 2004. While some buy organic to support its producers’ environmentally friendly practices, most are trying to cut their exposure to chemicals in the foods they eat.

By Candace Page
Burlington Free Press Staff Writer

WEST SWANTON — Earl Fournier’s accountant tells him the profit from his 75 milk cows tripled — from $9,000 to about $30,000 — in 2004-2005, the first year he switched his Holsteins to producing organic milk.

“The numbers don’t make you jump out of your chair, but I can […]

Vermont’s Agriculture Secretary Steve Kerr says his department wants to begin making “cold calls” on some of the state’s small dairy farms, to see if their owners are interested in switching to organic milk.