Titanarum

Did you see Prof Regan on BBC 2 the other day? She’s the one who tests the science behind claims for probiotic youghurt, beauty creams and now organic produce. And guess what? Organic produce cannot claim to have the upper hand neither with taste nor healthiness. I’m with that woman even though her red lipstick, pointed shoes with kitten heals and smug middleclass assertiveness do get me down. I wish no ill on organic farmers. Those who buy their stuff (and I do too if it is reasonably priced) do so not to become healthier or make better tasting food but to show sympathy for a gentler and less mechanical way of farming. I’m particularly interested in supporting animal husbandry that shows kindness and respect towards animals. But again the organic, free range lobby often come across as a religious sect. I buy free range chicken now because that does taste better (as the animals are allowed on average twice the life span and use of muscles and hence flavour) and because I would rather have less meat and pay more if that means a better quality of life for the animals. But whether they are reared organically or not, I couldn’t care less.

In the last few weeks I have bought organic semi skimmed milk. I have also bought one organic cauliflower and a bag of red onions and potatoes.  I have looked at the price of organic apples, cabbage, salad, grapes, etcetera etcetera, and I have looked at my bank statements. The two don’t agree. So I will continue to look and occasionally buy organic and I will endeavour to grow all my stuff on horse poo and sea weed and never spray a single aphid with anything harsher than soap water. But I won’t go into red. Not even for the planet. We all have a responsibility to turn climate change around. I will do anything to help that process but I won’t do that. Instead I will encourage the large number of middleclass households to put their money where their mouths are. They hold the power. The rest of us who live on say, less than £10.000 a year in rented accommodation, we already spend a higher proportion of our income on food, rent, heating, tax, you name it. And if we are to become more effective planet savers we need help, practical and financial, to do our bit. Living the organic life can be done on a low budget if one’s whole life is dedicated to the cause.  To do it in a way that also allows for fun, convenience and variety, remains a middle-class prerogative.

Come on, they don’t smell that bad…
You should try some fresh ones next time !

I’m buying organic now. Last week I bought one cos lettuce from Asda (that’s a fairly large, oval growth) for 98p. It was good as in nothing wrong with it. I also bought a cauliflower. The difference between the organic and non organic version was 10p due to a special offer in Waitrose. That was good too although I don’t think it was anything special taste wise.

But the star buy was 4 pints of semi skimmed milk. That was so good and so relatively cheap I feel like shouting about it from the roof tops. It actually tastes BETTER than non organic milk. Richer, somehow, despite the fat content being the same. Apparently the fat is also infinitely healthier in organic milk. I may have to get myself a cow now and start a home dairy. Maybe I could get a genetically modified small one to keep in a play pen in the spare room. Or is genetically modification just as bad as being non organic?

I don’t eat battery eggs or chicken because of the cruel way in which they are treated but am I the only one who is struggling to do the right thing here? On a budget?