Understanding Organic:
A Research-Based Exploration of Organic Agriculture

Welcome to our new blog series, a collaborative research project between the Organic Council of Ontario (OCO) and the University of Guelph, as part of the capstone work of the School of Environmental Science students. This series will dive into the key differences between organic and conventional agriculture, providing research-based insights into how our food is grown and produced right here in Ontario.  

Over the coming weeks, we will explore a selection of Ontario-grown crops and animal products, including apples, honey, spinach, strawberries, eggs, and dairy. Each article will present scientific findings and practical insights to help well-informed consumers better understand the impact of organic farming on health, the environment, and the local economy.  

By focusing on credible data and real-world examples, we aim to foster greater trust in organic agriculture and provide clarity on the choices available to Ontario consumers. Stay tuned as we break down the facts and uncover the stories behind the food on your plate!

Popeye’s Pick?: Why Organic Spinach Might Be the Better Choice

By Marissa Lefebvre

Organic Spinach: Is It Worth It?

Want to be as strong as Popeye? You might not have to spend much more on his signature leafy green, but you should be mindful of how you wash it. Recent research suggests that choosing organic spinach over conventional may be worth the extra cost.

Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) is a nutrient-dense leafy green from the amaranth family, originally cultivated in Persia. Often celebrated as a superfood, it’s packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants—particularly Vitamin C and iron. Thriving in cooler seasons, spinach forms a rosette in its vegetative stage. In Ontario, it’s one of over 125 commercially grown crops, making it a locally available option for consumers.

Choosing organic spinach means more than just avoiding certain pesticides—it also ties into broader organic farming practices governed by strict national regulations. Understanding these standards can help consumers make informed decisions about their food choices.

Understanding the Canadian Organic Standards

The Canadian Organic Standards (COS) ensure that organic farming and food production meet strict national guidelines. Overseen by the Organic Federation of Canada (OFC) in partnership with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), these standards help farmers, ranchers, and food processors achieve organic certification.

For those looking to understand these sometimes complex regulations, Canadian Organic Growers (COG) has created a Guide to the Canadian Organic Standards. This resource breaks down the standards and helps consumers and producers navigate organic certification requirements.

For consumers, the guide explains:

• The value of choosing organic and how organic food differs from conventional options.
• The strict requirements for organic certification, ensuring transparency and integrity.
• The Canada Organic logo, which legally verifies certified organic products.

For producers, following these standards is essential to maintaining the integrity of organic systems. As defined by the OFC:

“Organic production is a holistic system designed to optimize the productivity and fitness of diverse communities within the agro-ecosystem, including soil organisms, plants, livestock, and people. The principal goal of organic production is to develop operations that are sustainable and harmonious with the environment.”

Organic vs. Conventional: What’s the Difference?

The biggest difference between organic and conventional farming is how pests, weeds, and soil nutrition are managed. Conventional farming relies on synthetic chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides, whereas organic farming focuses on regenerating soil health and biodiversity through natural processes.

Organic farming prohibits synthetic chemicals and GMOs, instead prioritizing soil health and ecological balance through natural processes. In contrast, conventional farming often relies on chemical interventions for pest control, weed management, and soil fertility.

By choosing organic, consumers support sustainable farming practices that work in harmony with nature—one leafy green at a time.

Maintaining Agricultural Production Without Synthetic Intervention

Organic agriculture continues to evolve, demonstrating its ability to achieve yields comparable to conventional farming while minimizing the health risks associated with synthetic chemical use. One environmental challenge in Ontario is the presence of potentially toxic elements in soil, which requires remediation using cost-effective and environmentally sustainable techniques.

A 2020 study by Hussain et al. examined how different organic amendments influence the bioaccumulation of these toxic elements in spinach grown in contaminated soils. In this experiment, soil from various mining sites was treated with organic fertilizers – including compost – and spinach was grown in a soil mixture containing equal parts garden soil, mining soil, and organic fertilizer. The results showed that while mining soils and organic amendments significantly impacted plant growth, organic fertilizers effectively reduced the availability of toxic elements, improved spinach growth, and enhanced overall yield. Additionally, the use of organic fertilizers lowered health risk indices (HRI), demonstrating their potential in mitigating the uptake of harmful metals and promoting healthier crop production.

Your Grocery, Your Choice

For consumers, these findings highlight an important consideration—investing in organic spinach may be worth the additional cost to avoid the long-term health risks linked to pesticide and heavy metal residues. 

Ongoing research into pesticide residues on conventionally grown produce consistently identifies spinach as one of the most contaminated crops. According to the Environmental Working Group’s (EWG) Dirty Dozen report, spinach ranks second-highest in toxic neurotoxic insecticide levels, posing potential health concerns with prolonged exposure (Goldberg, M., 2022). Choosing organic helps reduce this risk, supporting both personal health and environmentally responsible farming practices.

Recent Nielsen’s data from 2022–23, as cited in the Ontario Organic Market Report (2024), indicates that while the sales value of many products has increased, overall sales volume has declined, reflecting broader inflationary pressures. In Ontario, fresh produce prices have risen by $1.70 per kilogram, posing an increased financial burden for consumers. Notably, while the cost of conventional spinach has risen, the price of organic spinach has declined, according to a 2021 MagnifyMoney report—though organic still remains the more expensive option. Organic products, because of higher production costs for the farmer– including labour, stricter regulations, and specialized input costs – traditionally come with a more premium price tag than their conventional counterparts. Despite this premium, many consumers willingly pay more for organic foods, valuing their quality, health benefits, and environmental impact. However, as more shoppers prioritize sustainability and wellness, the demand for organic products is expected to grow, potentially leading to more competitive pricing and narrowing the price gap between organic and conventional foods.

With prices becoming more competitive and the health benefits outweighing the risks of pesticide exposure, choosing organic spinach may be a worthwhile investment in your well-being. Next time you’re at the supermarket, channel your inner Popeye: “I’m strong to the finish ’cause I eats me [organic] spinach!”

References

Canadian Organic Trade Association & Organic Council of Ontario. (2024). The Ontario Organic Market Report 2024. https://organiccouncil.gumroad.com/l/jdtpdu

Citak, S., & Sonmez, S. (2010a). Effects of conventional and organic fertilization on spinach (spinacea oleracea L.) growth, yield, vitamin C and nitrate concentration during two successive seasons. Scientia Horticulturae, 126(4), 415–420. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2010.08.010 

Goldberg, M. (2022, March 7). Why conventional spinach is not a smart choice. Livingmaxwell.

Hussain, Z., Alam, M., Khan, M. A., Asif, M., Shah, M. A., Khan, S., Khan, S., & Nawab, J. (2020). Bioaccumulation of potentially toxic elements in spinach grown on contaminated soils amended with organic fertilizers and their subsequent human health risk. Arabian Journal of Geosciences, 13(18).
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-020-05938-y.

McNair, K. (2021, October 21). Organic Food Is More Expensive, but Conventional Prices Are Catching Up.
https://www.magnifymoney.com/news/organic-vs-conventional-food-study/.

Organic Federation of Canada. (2023, July 26). https://organicfederation.ca/

Peter. (2020, May 22). How to remove pesticides from your produce – CNM College of Naturopathic Medicine. College of Naturopathic Medicine.

Rani, L., Thapa, K., Kanojia, N., Sharma, N., Singh, S., Grewal, A. S., Srivastav, A. L., & Kaushal, J. (2021). An extensive review on the consequences of chemical pesticides on human health and environment. Journal of Cleaner Production, 283, 124657.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.124657