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During the four years a student spends in college, one usually tries a variety of new trends, especially when it comes to diets. One particular pattern emerging is the increasing popularity of organic products.

One student on campus, Casandra Castro made the sudden change to eat primarily organic foods after realizing we are a cancer prone society. Castro says she wanted to live a longer and optimized life, meaning that the cost difference, didn’t bother her too much.

When weighing the benefits and negatives, Castro said, “It’s healthier in the long run, even though it costs more. I am out shelling more money every month, but I look at it as I’m improving my body more.”

Although there are no definite studies confirming whether or not a primarily organic diet fends off diseases such as cancer, there are no disputes, either.

For and item to be classified as organic, the USDA requires the food to be naturally grown and low in pesticides. This means the food meets or exceeds the regulations of the Natural Organic Program.

The Organic Trade Association, a business based in Vermont, reports that stateside sales of organic food and beverages have gradually increased from $1 billion in 1990 to more than $26 billion in 2010.

Local organic food chain Natural Grocers moved to town last December and store manager Aaron Bristow believes it to be because of the increase in demand for healthier products.

About which Bristow said, “I see the void that we are filling with Natural Grocers with all of the demands for natural and organic food that we’ve had over the last few years.”

Bristow also went on to say that food itself started out a trend, and the present trend would be conventional food that is quickly manufactured and with added unnatural ingredients. Bristow said you can taste the difference in a naturally grown tomato in his store, compared to one mass produced with additional chemicals like growth hormones.

Sgt. Tiffany Gayman a dietician at the Sheppard Health and Wellness Center says her advice on whether or not to embark on a primarily organic diet depended on an individual’s goals.

Gayman said that “If your goal is strength and muscular development, organics may not benefit you necessarily for your goals. If your goal ultimately is weight loss or gain, then calories would be the focus – not necessarily organics. If your goal is to be as optimally healthy as possible and eat as clean as possible, then absolutely organics would be beneficial. They are expensive because now you’re looking at sourcing food and meat products from farmers who aren’t tied into the mass market. However eating foods that have very little to no pesticides or any other growth enhancement in the product, are going to have optimal health for your body.”

While there have been  reports that organic foods can cost up to a third more than conventional alternatives, that doesn’t seem to bother students like Castro who don’t mind going to places such as Natural Grocers to pick up their healthier alternatives.

As the demand for more natural products continues to rise, prices are expected to normalize.