THE RESULTS ARE IN! This was a delicious project! 
Rumor has it pesticide, hormone and fertilizer free organic products are more expensive than the mass produced alternative. Locally grown and raised organic products are proven to be healthier than products treated with steroids or ones that have been genetically modified. 

I know we understand the positive impact organic products have, now I have to convince you that just because the rumors may be true, the fact of the matter is, 20 cents is just that when you know you are not putting poisons and chemicals into your body. 

The Questions: 
Are organic products more expensive then non organic?

Where can you get the best price for the best quality ingredients? 

I explored five different food suppliers that are common to the public. Keep in mind I stayed between North York and York region and limited my search to five popular grocery stores and markets, including Highland Farms, Longos, Loblaws, and two farmers markets. 

The Results:
It is not a myth, organic products are generally more expensive. However there are exceptions. In some cases I found products to have exactly the same price as its organic counterpart and other times I saw organic to be less expensive. 

I bought 10 items from Highland Farms and compared the prices to the non organic items.
Generally, if the items were more expensive it was between .25 to $1.00.

Chicken had the greatest difference. 
Organic: $7.00/lb, non-organic $5.00/lb 
(For two dollars more, you see that the chickens are raised and fed with completely different standards compared to when they are not organic, all that and a difference in flavour). 

Organic juice, flour and mini carrots were less expensive, and yogurt had the same price of $3.99.
After purchasing 10 organic items from Highland Farms I found my bill was $7.40 more expensive than if I had purchased non organic items.
                           organic $38.91
                     non organic $31.51
I compared that bill to what I would have paid at Longos
                           organic $38.71
                     non organic $31.13 a differnce of $7.58

For the best organic prices go to 
1) Highland farms (Large range and lowest prices)
2) Longos (Good quality, but the prices are higher so the difference between organic and non organic is less)
3) Loblaws
4) Farmers Markets (Prices are a little high based on the handling process and high quality of food)

Other grocery stores that carry organic products are Metro, Fresh Co., H-Mart and Sobey's. They all vary in prices and diversity of foods. Different areas are heavily influenced by the predominant local culture, which allows for even more flavor in the kitchen. 

It is not a surprise that these clean food products are slightly more expensive. As hungry customers we are paying for crop rotations, higher animal welfare standards and a restricted use of chemicals, leading to lower yields, which means organic foods costs more to produce. 
As the organic industry develops and technologies are improved, the cost of organic food should decrease as yields increase and production costs decrease. THAT MEANS THE MORE ORGANIC PRODUCTS YOU BUY THE SOONER THE PRICES WILL DECREASE (unlike the cost of non organic food products which are suggested to increase by 2013 up to four per cent). 

A.R.T. Creations suggests 
If you really want organic food that is friendly to your wallet, the best place to go is your own backyard. Start a small vegetable and fruit garden. The convenience and taste will be well worth it. 

It was inevitable. I had to wake and bake this morning. My dreams were full of sugary goodness. 
It is the weekend, a perfect time to wake up in the mood for cinnamon buns.

Directly after the buns emerged from the oven, my boyfriend asked me how many were for him. "One," I said sticking to my usual answer. "One is for your sister, one is for your dad, these are for my family, and mine is inmahmoush", I continued to smile with my mouth full.

If you are ever in the mood for some warm cinnamon buns, here is a great recipe. The 30 minutes of work seem like seconds compared to the two minutes it takes to scarf them down.

I use organic and natural ingredients, all of which can be found in your local grocery store. (Highland Farms, Longos, Lablaws etc.)




Dough
2 cups of  flour
3 tablespoons sugar
4 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
3 tablespoons warm butter
3/4 cup milk

Filling
3 tsp cinnamon
4 tablespoons melted butter
1 cup sugar (brown or white)

Icing
1/4 cup milk
3/4 cup icing sugar

Directions
Combine flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.
Cut in butter (works well with hands)
stir in milk until fluffy dough forms

In a separate bowl, mix butter, sugar and cinnamon and set aside.

Pre-heat the oven to 400 F.

Flour a smooth surface and roll the dough out into a rectangle.
If you would like to get fancy, cut the edges of the rectangle to make impressive rolls.
Once the dough is 1/4 inch think spread the filling from edge to edge.

Roll the rectangle lengthwise to make a long log.
Cut the log into individual rolls about two-three fingers wide.

Place each roll on a 9x9 inch square pan or a round cake tray with at least an inch separating them.
Bake for 20-25 min.

After cooling for 5-10 min drizzle icing over fresh cinnamon rolls.
Serve warm or microwave before eating.

For a different approach, roll the dough into multiple smaller logs for bite sized cinnamon rolls.

I have always believed in the values that A.R.T. Creations brings to the table, but they are not the reason I preheated the oven in preparation for my first catering job. 

Thank you to all of the the hungry people that I have meticulously created menus for. You continue to motivate me to  create exceptional organic experiences.  All I want to do is make your day better with delicious home cooked food. 
I say "everyone deserves to eat well", and my goal is to make that happen.

No matter where I cook I know that I have people supporting me. From the encouragement of my first trial gig for the Humber Students' Federation (three days after registering as a business), to the trust I receive from new customers, I would not be cooking if it were not for you.

It is the people that inspire and encourage you to follow an opprotunity that make the most impact on your life. Whether you believe in an idea, a new path or something unheard of, there are people that believe in you. Next time some one takes the time to listen to you, eye contact and all, let them know you appreciate it by following through. I bake muffins and cookies to show thanks, what can you do to give back to the people that have gotten you where you are today?

To whomever in the past, present and future that I bake a biscuit for, french a fry or wrap a wrap for, know that I am creating it for you. Simply because, you deserve it.