Why are Organic and Grass Fed more expensve? page 2

[Urban Forager]

Economy of scale, grain subsidies, growth hormones, more machines less human labor for conventionally raised meat probably a lot of other reasons. Hubby and I tried our hands at raising bees and selling the honey, doing it w/o chemicals and pesticides and there was no way we could sell the honey for the price of conventionally produced honey, not even close! It's a lot of physical work and you have to know a lot too. I know the farmers that raise the beef we buy and the farmers that keep the goats (we are part of a goat share) that give us our milk and I can tell you these guys are not getting rich. I only hope they keep doing what they are doing. Hubby now has a new project he is raising 2 pigs, just for our own use and once again we find it is more work than you might imagine. Especially if you don't want to just give them commercial pig food (soy & corn).

[Noctiluca]

The reason we even have CAFO beef is because they found that they could produce more meat with less cost in a factory setting. Just like factory made, mass produced shoes are MUCH cheaper than hand made ones. The factory system is built around maximizing profits which also allows for a lower retail cost which allows CAFO meat to be sold at a more competitive price. As long as people are shopping based on price thats how it will go.

[bloodorchid]

I always love your POV. lol

[Ouaouaron]

Fortunately my local whole Foods has local grass fed/finished ground beef for around $6 a pound, not too bad. when I get a freezer I hope to drop that price by buying direct.

[RichMahogany]

The reason we even have CAFO beef is because they found that they could produce more meat with less cost in a factory setting. Just like factory made, mass produced shoes are MUCH cheaper than hand made ones. The factory system is built around maximizing profits which also allows for a lower retail cost which allows CAFO meat to be sold at a more competitive price. As long as people are shopping based on price thats how it will go.

This is the main/overall reason. Also because the people who want organic/grass-fed/etc (us)... are willing to pay a premium to get it.

[Dr. Bork Bork]

The cost difference makes me sad. Grass fed/wild/organic should be the standard, not the exception!

[teach2183]

Part of the expense is also the labeling process, and this boggles my mind. It costs a lot for these farmers to have their products labeled organic/grass-fed because they have to prove it. Wish it were reversed and those trying to sell items that aren't real food had to spend money proving their food isn't doing harm. We'll be attempting to grow ourown crops again this summer.

[sbhikes]

I think the answer is subsidies and economies of scale. Laws regarding slaughter often penalize smaller operations, too. This article has a few other answers.
Why Grassfed Meat Costs More and Is Worth It | Tender Grassfed Meat

[ecole66]

The cost difference makes me sad. Grass fed/wild/organic should be the standard, not the exception!

While that sounds good if everything was organic, wild or grass fed there would not be enough food to feed the world population. It is not only about profits as many would like to think.

[Dirlot]

If you buy a large quantity from a local farmer the price drops dramatically. I bough 100lbs of pastured beef for $4/ lb Canadian. 50lbs was ground 10lbs stir fry the remaining 40 lbs is made up of steaks and roasts. Even if I did not buy as much the ground is sold for $4/lb.