OTA Refutes Misconceptions About Organic Agriculture

The Organic Trade Association says six myths about organic agriculture were “busted” by the media, by scientific discoveries, and by shoppers in 2011. At the top of the list is the belief that organic products are a niche market. OTA says its own research reveals that 78 percent of U.S. families say they purchase organic products. In addition, 11 percent of the total U.S. fruits and vegetables market comprised organic produce; and organic buyers are more likely to be Asian, African-American or Hispanic than non-buyers. Among the other myths disproved by the OTA: consumers are ambivalent about genetically modified foods; organic produce is unaffordable; organic farming cannot feed the world; and pesticides are no longer a danger.