Organic is not for everyone: Availability and affordability limit organic produce to higher-income households

organic scaled
Credit: Michigan State University

The University of California-Davis conducted a study that revealed an interesting finding: people who consistently choose healthy foods end up spending nearly 20 percent more on groceries.

Follow the latest news and policy debates on sustainable agriculture, biomedicine, and other ‘disruptive’ innovations. Subscribe to our newsletter.

One of the major reasons why people arenโ€™t buying into organic food products is the lack of availability, particularly in low-income areas. Many communities with limited access to grocery stores or supermarkets find it difficult to find organic options. This lack of availability contributes to the low consumption of organic food among low-income individuals and families.

In addition to limited availability, there are also challenges in accessing organic options for low-income individuals. The higher price of organic food products compared to conventional options can be a barrier for those with limited financial resources. Studies have shown that the higher price of healthier choices can consume a significant portion of a low-income familyโ€™s grocery budget, making it difficult to afford organic food consistently.

Furthermore, the study mentioned in the previous section highlights that organic doesnโ€™t necessarily mean the food is free of potentially toxic elements. This can create skepticism among consumers, especially when they have limited options and are already facing financial constraints.

This is an excerpt. Read the original post here

{{ reviewsTotal }}{{ options.labels.singularReviewCountLabel }}
{{ reviewsTotal }}{{ options.labels.pluralReviewCountLabel }}
{{ options.labels.newReviewButton }}
{{ userData.canReview.message }}

Related Articles

Infographic: Global regulatory and health research agencies on whether glyphosate causes cancer

Infographic: Global regulatory and health research agencies on whether glyphosate causes cancer

Does glyphosateโ€”the world's most heavily-used herbicideโ€”pose serious harm to humans? Is it carcinogenic? Those issues are of both legal and ...

Most Popular

ChatGPT-Image-May-26-2026-07_51_21-AM-2
Viewpoint: There are more than 1,000 chemicals in a cup of coffeeโ€”including many substances that can cause cancer. Why isnโ€™t it banned?
Screenshot 2026-05-29 at 2.47
Psychological inoculation: With a vaccine to prevent HIV on the horizon, misinformation is soaring. What can be done.
Screenshot-2026-04-30-at-11.33.46-AM
Anti-seed-oil to anti-vax pipeline: MAHA movement spreads to teen influencers
ChatGPT-Image-May-28-2026-02_12_17-PM
Can โ€˜Social Stress Indicatorsโ€™ help contain social media misfluencers?
Screenshot 2025-07-30 at 10.48
Can gene editing eliminate Down syndrome? Scientists have done it in lab-grown cells
Screenshot-2026-05-29-at-1.23.52-PM
Viewpoint: Scientists recently revised downward the likelihood of catastrophic global warming. Reassured? You shouldn't be.
Screenshot-2026-04-14-at-11.11.06-AM
โ€˜Turbo cancerโ€™ or mRNA cancer cure? Strategies to counter misinformation
ChatGPT-Image-May-22-2026-10_56_42-AM-2
โ€˜Itโ€™s not super usefulโ€™: As wariness about AI grows, Trump proposes rollback of healthcare safeguards
ChatGPT Image May 28, 2026, 08_16_38 PM
Viewpoint: Why the EPA mismeasures cancer risk of chemicals and what should be done to fix it
ChatGPT-Image-Mar-10-2026-01_39_01-PM
Viewpointโ€”โ€œMiracle moleculeโ€ debunked: Why acemannan supplements donโ€™t work
downsyndrome_compilation_MID_1
CRISPR breakthrough that can remove the chromosome responsible for Down syndrome raises ethical questions
Screenshot-2026-05-27-at-10.51.25-AM
Viewpoint: โ€˜Monsantoโ€™ bluesโ€”Planned Netflix movie promises yet another round of anti-glyphosate disinformation
Screenshot-2026-05-29-at-12.17.58-PM
RFK, Jr.โ€™s delusion: Anti-depressants are not harder to quit than heroinโ€”but that does not mean tapering off is easy
glp menu logo outlined

Get news on human & agricultural genetics and biotechnology delivered to your inbox.