organic food- what's your experience?

[sagalsmith]

I've decided to do organic, free range for at least eggs and milk as these are the main foods eaten by my dd. Concerned about hormones injected into animals and precocious growth which could be attributed to it (my hypotheses).
Ideally I'd like to switch everything else esp meat and root vege but find the cost prohibitive. The 'box' scheme seems quite an interesting way to do it too.
What are your experiences here and do you recommend any company?
Any other discussion associated with this topic is of interest to me so appreciated.

Have been using Riverford for a while now and really happy with them. Really good quality food and good value. Have only bought fruit and veg from them as meat is prohibitively expensive. I get organic meat from Waitrose every now and again.

I like having a veg box but it is a bit trial and error, and you do have to be committed to using what's in it (celeriac, Russian Kale and watercress as well as carrots/potatoes). They can be very seasonal - DH complained tonight he hadn't had mushrooms for weeks. It's like going back to pre-industrial Revolution with a long winter of swede and cabbage. On the plus side it's really broadened my cooking horizons. Cannot comment on any health/taste benefits but I think the main objective of organic is to avoid the fertilisers/hormones/pesticides for the benefit of us and the environment. I was quite annoyed by the Which report that said organic food doesn't taste better than non organic - well why should it?

I use a local supplier but when I lived in London Abel & Cole were very good.

I don't usually buy organic meat unless I can get to a farmer's market. Easier to eat less meat.

i have used (well worked for families who have used) riverford and abel and cole

imo riverford is better especially for fruit and veg

I used Riverford for a while and it was pretty good. A bit samey some weeks but just meant we had to be creative. I remember we had kohlrabi a couple of times and I loved it - lovely crisp salady veg. The Riverford box always came with a newsletter with recipes relating to the items in your box - a nice personal touch.

I try to buy organic but if it is a choice between organic from abroad or british - I'm buying British.

I have free range eggs always. Milk is organic but not always.

Do you have a local market or farmer's market or farm shop that you could get to? Farmer's market food is gorgeous - especially veg - and it is local!