2007/01/02 Jenny's C8 Speech

C8 speech（Add Impact To Your Speech of C8, 5 to 7 minutes） by Jenny Chou

Title: Organic Foods: To Buy Or Not To Buy? delivered on 2007/1/2 (AMTC)

*Objective:

1. To learn the value of props in speaking.

2. To learn how to use props effectively in your presentations.

(Opening)

Good evening ladies and gentlemen, before I start my speech, I would like to ask you a question: What does "organic food" mean? Any volunteer? Don’t worry! It is not table topic session. Organic food is a kind of food which grows without the help of chemicals.

(Body)

Some people think that because the organic produce is produced naturally and they won't eat the chemical substance such as pesticide. Therefore, they think organic produce is healthier than normal produce. When you are in a market, would you like to buy organic foods? Actually, there are many factors may influence your decision to buy or not to buy organic foods. I did some search to analyze organic foods about nutrition, quality and appearance, pesticides, environmental issues, cost, and taste for your information.

The first one: Nutrition. No conclusive evidence shows that organic food is more nutritious than conventionally grown food. And the United States Department of Agriculture — even though it certifies organic food — doesn't claim that these products are safer or more nutritious.

The second one: Quality and appearance. Organic foods meet the same quality and safety standards as conventional foods. The difference lies in how the food is produced, processed and handled. You may find that organic fruits and vegetables spoil faster because they aren't treated with waxes or preservatives. Expect less-than-perfect appearances in some organic produce such as odd shapes, varying colors and perhaps smaller sizes.

The third one: Pesticides. Conventional growers may use pesticides to protect their crops from mold, insects and diseases. When farmers spray pesticides, this can leave residue on produce. Some people buy organic food to limit their exposure to these residues. Most experts agree, however, that the amount of pesticides found on fruits and vegetables poses a very small health risk, especially if you wash or peel your produce before eating it. And large-scale studies suggest that pesticide residues are unlikely to be an important risk factor for cancer to the general public. In addition, the health benefits of eating fruits and vegetables, regardless of how they're grown, far outweigh any potential health risks.

The fourth one: Environmental issues. Some people buy organic food for environmental reasons. Organic farming practices are designed to benefit the environment by reducing pollution and conserving water and soil.

The fifth one: Cost. Most organic food costs more than conventional food products. Higher prices are due to more-expensive farming practices, tighter government regulations and lower crop yields. Because organic farmers don't use herbicides or pesticides, many management tools that control weeds and pests are labor intensive. For example, organic growers may hand weed vegetables to control weeds, and you may end up paying more for these vegetables.

The last one: Taste. Some people say they can taste the difference between organic and non-organic food. Others say they find no difference. Taste is a subjective and personal consideration, so decide for yourself. But whether you buy organic food or not, finding the freshest foods available may have the biggest impact on taste.

(Conclusion)

After above deeply analyze, we can understand that the benefit to buy organic food is not for nutrition, quality and appearance, pesticides, or taste but environmental issues. There is only one Earth. Every body has the responsibility to protect it. I believe that next time when you are in a market, you can make a smart decision and know the reason why to buy or not to by organic foods.

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