This WSJ article offers answers on both sides of the organic/conventional picture noting, “Sales of organic food and beverages grew fivefold between 1999 and 2013.”
Not long ago, the founding owner of one of the most successful organic growers and markets in south Florida told me a compelling organic lettuce story. Through the years, I had seen beautiful, huge heads of lettuce piled high at his market, each retailing for about $2.99. Frank told me that he devoted about and acre to planting organic lettuce and was able to turn his field over a number of times per year harvesting tens of thousands of heads during each harvest. The cost of goods sold? Well, minimal, as no big farm equipment was involved and no commercial fertilizer was necessary.
Frank gave me specific numbers during our discussion, which I now forget but do remember as being some staggering math. Frank assured me that the organic agriculture story was indeed far stronger than presented in the media.
