I would vote for Organic...even though it is local it does not mean that there are no antibotics or pestisides on the or in the products.  I try to buy everything organic.  Do I want pestisides in my body or in my childs body?  It can't be good.

I do home gardening and organic gardening.  I do not use pesticides and only use natural products in my garden. 

What a question.  As an organic produce farmer I would say organic.  I know that produce leaving my farm is chemical free. Every organic grower I have met is passionate about that. 

But also as a produce grower this is what I have observed.

Buying local:  The produce is more fresh and ripe.  If bought at the farmers market it you can ask about growing practices and may even be allowed to visit the farm.  If bought from a store most produce managers can tell where the farm is and how to make contact.  The produce managers at stores that sell local produce will usually ask the same questions you would. I personally know some local growers, in my area, that should be organic growers but don’t want to deal with the paper work.  So it is possible to buy quality produce that isn’t certified organic, but has no chemicals, and is local.  It all depends on the grower.

Buying organic:  The produce is chemical free.  Depending on the shipping time it can determine the picking time. Freshness may or may not be the best.   

The best is local organic produce. 

True, having the best of both worlds is often the best, but not always available.  I try and support my local farmers market whenever possible since providing jobs is important to my community.  I also wonder about the gas used to fly in all those organic produce, can that be better than buying from my farmer down the road?

I must admit that my organic berries I bought the other day were beter than the non-organic ones purchased.  My own taste test.

Many times the local farmers basically farm the same way as the organic farmers, but just don't want the headache of getting certified.  Getting to know your local farms is so important.  I am still up in the air. 

 

Usually sourced locally?

Becuase there are no pesticides, preservatives et al. the food has to be sourced locally or it would never make it to the store.

So I guess the better option is buying locally from an organic farm.

With so many outbreaks of contaminated food lately, I would have to agree that I would prefer to know my local farmer and where my food comes from.

I pick and choose what I buy locally and what  I need to buy at the grocer.  It's also important to support your communty and keep it finacially healthy. 

I was listening to the Organic Gardeners show yesterday and they brought up a great point that y'all have also. Many local farmers are growing their food organically, but they might not necessarily be "certified organic," because they can't afford to jump through all the hoops in the big manual. I think as long as you know the farmer and have had a chance to get to know how they grow their products the local guy is the best choice. 

Observe the world as though you were a child and enjoy the wonder of it all.

That is what I've been saying too.  Building a relationship with your local farmers is the way to go.  It's all about the relationships.

I work at the farmers market on Saturday morningings. If you ask the farmers they will tell you who is organic and who isn't. If you think that farmer is just trying to make a sale ask another farmer a few stands away. Every farmer at my market knows the practices of the other farmers. It cost too much for small farmers to be certified organic so most will advertise "All Natural".

And please remember the saying for corn, "Knee high by the 4th of July". 

We have non-organic producer at our market  who usually has corn to sell by the end of June. The customers by it up in just a few hours. It makes me sick but there's nothing I can do unless a customer asks.

In conclusion, I think it is best to support area farmers if they have good growing practices. Big developers are trying to buy as much farm land as possible and trying to make it difficult for the farmers to stay in business.

"The time to be happy is now, the place to be happy is here" - Robert G. Ingersoll

That's a good rule of thumb to remember.  I have also found that many farmers find it too dificult to become certified but practice organic farming.  I agree that going to the markets and asking around is the best way to find out where and how your food was farmed.