There are many reasons one may have for preferring organic food. Perhaps you think it’ll be fresher, or help the environment, or keep the government from putting mind-controlling substances into your food in preparation for world domination as told by your magical tin-foil hat. Or, maybe you’re like most people and just want to be sure that whatever you’re eating didn’t go through one too many factories. There is some evidence to support the potential harm that pesticides in food can cause, both environmentally and health-wise.

At the same time, organic foods alone could not feed the world. Either way, organic food is quite popular these days, and if you want to eat organic fruits, vegetables, or meat, who’s gonna stop ya?
One of the most esteemed health/environmentally conscious restaurants in the Chicago area, the Chicago Diner (http://veggiediner.com) is definitely a treat if you’re downtown. Even if you’re not vegan or picky when it comes to food, and speaking as someone who is neither, the Chicago Diner has some of the most delicious American-style food you can find.

Of course, the Chicago Diner is only an option if you happen to find yourself downtown. Locally, as in closer to Glenview, it gets a little difficult. The farmer’s market has a lot of locally grown products, which usually translates into organic. A more business-like supplier of organic foods is Angelic Organics, which is in north-central Illinois. Not bad, but you can’t just “buy” their food- you buy shares, and then they send you boxes of vegetables throughout the season.

If you’re looking for a break from chemically altered food, you need not look far for organic options. The Chicagoland area is filled with various produce stores and restaurants for the health-conscious consumer.

Don Planey, staff reporter