When you go grocery shopping, what types of produce, otherwise known as fruits and vegetables, do you buy? Do you look for “organic” labels or do you stick to conventional options? You may question the difference between the two. After all, an organically grown apple often looks and tastes the same as its conventionally grown, genetically modified counterpart. However, the price of organic apple will most likely be significantly higher than that of conventional apple. Sometimes, up to three times more expensive. Surprisingly, consumers continue to pay “top dollar” for the organic option. Organic fruits and vegetables are products of an agricultural system that “avoids the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, growth promoters, and additives” (Kouba 33). They are required to meet these government standards, set by the United States. Department of Agriculture “USDA”. For this reason, many assume that organic is the “healthier” and more nutritious option. But is this hypothesis true? With the rise of health concerns in the United States, the demand for organic products has grown rapidly. Organic products are sold in nearly 20,000 health food stores and 3 out of 4 grocery stores. More recently, grocery store chains like Walmart and Target have joined this trend and started selling organic options (Troller 8) . Research suggests that consumers spent $7.8 billion on organic food in 2000. This figure has increased by about 25% annually since then, and today fresh produce is the best-selling organic category. Additionally, recent statistics show that organic sales account for 4% of all food sales in the United States (Lockeretz 10). Health care professionals, including physicians and dietitians, generally encourage patient... half of document...894-900. Web.Dykes, Aaron. “Censorship of Whole Foods Exposed to GMOs?” InfoWars. Np 2 October 2012. Web. 23 April 2014. Kouba, Maryline. "Quality of organic animal products". Livestock Production Science 80.1 (2003) 33-40. Web. Lockeretz, William. Organic farming: an international story. Cambridge, MA: CABI 2007.Press.Magnusson, Maria. “Consumer Perceptions of Organic and Genetically Modified Foods.” Upsala University 131.71 (2004): 11-30. Web.McCredie, Scott. “Organic produce is expensive to grow, expensive to buy.” The Seattle Times July 31, 2002: C.1. Print.Rosen, Joseph. “A review of nutritional claims made by organic food advocates.” Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety 9.3 (2010): 270-277. Web.Wilcox, Christie. “Mythbusting 101: Organic Farming > Conventional Farming.” American scientist. Np, nd Web. April 23. 2014.