Organic food is slowly making headway in conventional supermarkets, but many shoppers still don't see what all the fuss is about. "Why should I pay more for something just because it's labeled as organic?" they might ask. There are so many great answers to this question--check out just four reasons below why you should start shopping organic, whether for yourself or for your family. 

Clean Water

Non-organic farmers use pesticides to ward off insects that might ruin their crops, and while the effects of pesticide use on food is constantly debated, one thing is certain: pesticide runoff into valuable water sources isn't good. Lakes and rivers are all too often the recipients of surface water runoff, which is even more concerning to many consumers because of the fact that most pesticides don't instantly dissolve in water. Keeping drinking water safe for future generations might not be the first thing on your mind when shopping for food, but it should definitely be a priority.

Better Soil

In order to meet constant demand for a single crop, non-organic farmers use synthetic fertilizers to speed up the natural growth. Although this satiates immediate demand in the short term, it also does extensive damage to the soil in the long term. Using chemical fertilizers season after season doesn't give the soil the time it needs to regenerate and replenish vital nutrients. Exhausted soil in turn makes for depleted natural resources and food that--while it might have grown faster--simply doesn't taste as good as organic alternatives.

Sustainable Infrastructure

If you buy and eat organic products that are grown locally, you can rest easy knowing that you're supporting an economy of food that is entirely sustainable. Not only is the growing of organic food safer for water and better for soil, it doesn't require nearly the demands on fossil fuels and transportation that so-called 'big agriculture" does. Plus, you can feel good knowing you're directly supporting local farmers and their families, rather than GMO (Genetically Modified Organism) testing and corporate marketing costs.

Better Taste

Sometimes the word 'organic' is associated with food that's just as bland as it is healthy. But that stereotype couldn't be further from the truth. Because organic foods don't contain artificial preservatives, they don't sit in trucks and on supermarket shelves for nearly as long as non-organic alternatives. The result is better, fresher food that you can eat shortly after it leaves the farm.

Visit a grocery like Southtown Health Foods to learn more about organic foods.