Food for thought

I had a teacher a few years ago who was a die-hard conservationist and animal rights activist. She constantly promoted organic foods, recycling, and animal rights. She disapproved of fast food and raved about the book "Fast Food Nation" by Eric Schlosser. She spoke to the class with such passion, and I found it quite inspiring. So off to the store I went. I was ready to fight the good fight.
Walking down the aisles proved to me that this task was much easier said than done.
Few grocery stores offer a large variety of organic foods. Whole Foods and Ukrops are probably the best known ones. Many grocery stores use large signs to advertise organic foods, especially in the produce section. You can find tomatoes, lettuce, beans, and all sorts of hybrid fruits that have been organically grown. In the meat section, neon "free-range" stickers stand out on the packaging to gain buyers' attention. Dairy products like milk and eggs also offer an organic variety.
One thing, however, that they don't try to exploit is the price.
Sure, I feel bad for the chickens that spend all their time cooped up in a tiny cage, and I wouldn't want to see a cow living in a pen that it can barely turn around in. Of course I don't want to ingest pesticides on a daily basis. . . who knows what kind of health effects will come of that!? But with all this said and done, I don't have a clue how my meals grew up. And my pocket book doesn't really allow for me to make a big deal out of it. I've seen organic items at the grocery store up to a few dollars higher than "other" items. The bottom line is everyone can't afford to eat organically. Lately, I stick to "Bonus Buy" items at Shoppers and the Dollar Menu.
I love animals, but I can still manage to down a burger without thinking I'm a heartless jerk.
One thing is for sure, though. Once the prices become more competitive on organic items, I'll definitely jump on the bandwagon.