LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Organic foods are inefficient, costly

OPINION:

David Mastio makes some interesting points in his opinion article “Dead bodies demand organic food moratorium” (Commentary, June 9). However, he does not discuss another downside to organic foods that is clearly demonstrated by just going to the supermarket: Organic foods are significantly more expensive than the food produced by modern agricultural practices.

It appears that organic farming is proving itself to be an inefficient use of resources. Unless organic foods have major scientifically demonstrated advantages, more expensive food is a bad (and possibly fatal) proposition for the millions of people worldwide who live close to starvation. I suspect that many would be happy to trade fewer pesticides for a moderately full stomach.

DWIGHT HARRISON

Vienna