What kind of consumer are you?

[FairyMum]

Sorry, this title isn't very good, is it?
This has probably been discussed before, but I have done a search and cannot find any threads so here goes.....
I was shopping today and realised that because I am trying very good to be a socalled ethical consumer and buy lots of Fair Trade products as well as buying everything organic, I am spending an absolute bloody fortune. Is it really worth it or is it just a marketing scam ? I am really not sure. I am willing to spend a bit more if it really is "worth it" but I have read so many different views on this lately....Hmmmm......And isn's it bad that it is so expensive if it is better to buy organic as surely poorer people should have the option to eat healthily too?
Are you an ethical consumer? Do you buy organic? Has the Sudan1 scandal changed how you shop? Am I wasting my money?

We are on a very low income at the moment but we are actually saving money by not going to the supermarket (where I would buy far too much stuff I didn't need), shopping locally for things like cheese as and when we need it, and using a local organic box scheme for veggies (cheaper and better quality & less food miles than supermarket organic veg/fruit). My one luxury purchase is the best coffee I can find. Organic fairtrade coffee beans are cheaper bought in bulk than ready-ground coffee supplied in packets and more importantly they make me feel morally superior as I sip!
BTW organic food definitely tastes better, if you don't agree, try some tomatoes this summer.

Or carrots or apples. Vegetablea dn fruit have definitely lost their taste over the years and if you want to remenice (crap sp?) about the way these things used to taste, try some of them which are organic.

Decaf, mostly agree about the taste of organic food, except for cheese. Has anyone else found that organic cheese is bland? maybe its because we like strong cheddar and the smellier end of the French cheeses.