In the past two decades, consumers' concerns about the safety of the food we eat have raised a multitude of questions about food buying and growing. A major concern has been the pervasive use of pesticides in farming and the hazardous presence of the pesticide residues in foods. As a result, more and more consumers have resorted to organic foods, which is a smart option to enhance our health. In this article, you will learn about the pros and cons of organic farming, and get to know some good organic-food online stores.

Organic crops are grown without toxic pesticides or growth hormones, in soil that enriched by natural mineral fertilizers only. The organic farming technique relies on beneficial insects that eat harmful insects, crop rotations that rob insects of food or prevent weeds from developing, and sometimes, vacuum machines that clean bugs off crops.

The Advantages of Organic Foods

• Nutrition - Organic foods are rich in vitamins, minerals and enzymes which will help your body fight off infections more effectively.
• Toxin-Free - Since they are pesticide-free, they lower the risk of cancer and some birth defects.
• Taste - Organic products tend to taste better than non-organic ones. For example, a study by Washington State University in 2001 claimed that organic apples were sweeter and had firmer texture, compared to those of conventional farming.
• Environment - Organic farming is better for the environment since it does not use toxic chemicals that will run off to pollute soil and water. Also, it promotes a use of the land that will maintain richness in the soil for supporting the needs of the next generation.

The Downsides of Organic Foods

• Cost - Organic foods usually cost 10 - 40% higher than non-organic products because of the following reasons: 1.) They are produced on a smaller scale and usually must be cultivated by hand, and that labor is expensive. 2.) Farmers need compensations for their lower yields, as some of their crops are lost to insects and animals. 3.) It is also more expensive to raise animals humanely than to keep them in small pens and cages. Pasture raised animals require a lot of space, and supplementing their grazing with organic feed costs a lot more than simply feeding them the least-expensive non-organic grain available.
• Appearance - Organic fruits and vegetables are likely to be less-perfect looking. You may not be able to find a perfectly shiny organic apple or a beautiful organic lettuce, but keep in mind; don't let looks fool you.

Country Sun Natural Foods

Country Sun Natural Foods provides a great variety of organic food products from coffee and tea, herbs, pet products to sports nutritions. The website also features up-to-date health information, interesting news on natural products, healthy recipes, and accurate health tools you can use to assess your lifestyle such as the calorie burner counter, nutritional needs calculator and body mass index.

Kalyx Natural Marketplace

Kalyx offers a wide selection of natural products such as dried fruits, cookies, teas, spices, cereal, bulk herbs, snacks, etc. Plus, they also provide aromatherapy and household items.

Door To Door Organics

Door to Door Organics is a family owned and operated business located in Pennsylvania. They have been delivering certified organic products to homes and businesses since 1996. However, they deliver in the following areas only: Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, New York, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and West Virginia.

Mother Earth Foods

A good source of whole food grocery, organic foods, nutritional and herbal supplements, and body care products. Also, Mother Earth Foods offers a program called Holistic Health Services that supports clients through consultation and wellness education.