Shoppers have long been willing to pay a premium for organic food. But how much is too much?

Prices are rising for organic food, which typically costs 20 percent to 100 percent more than a conventional counterpart.

Rising prices for organic groceries are prompting some consumers to question their devotion to food produced without pesticides, chemical fertilizers or antibiotics. In some parts of the country, a loaf of organic bread can cost $4.50, a pound of pasta has hit $3, and organic milk is closing in on $7 a gallon.

The price of organic animal feed is so high that some dairy farmers have abandoned organic farming methods and others are pushing retailers to raise prices more aggressively. Several organic manufacturers worry that sales may slow as consumers cut back.

[Read](http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/18/business/18organic.html?em&ex=1208664000&en=f666e740e6b9ce5a&ei=5087%0A “Read the Article”) (New York Times)