Are you one of the thousands of people following the trend to go organic? If you are pondering this costly purchase, what items are worthy of your shopping cart?

February’s Consumer Reports magazine looks at government standards for organic foods. The report notes that people should expect to pay more for organic foods, which are more labor-intensive to grow and don't get government subsidies. Here’s a quick look at what to consider before making the switch…

Organic items worth buying as often as possible: Apples, baby food, bell peppers, celery, cherries, dairy, eggs, grapes, meat, nectarines, peaches, pears, poultry, potatoes, red raspberries, spinach, and strawberries.

Organic items worth buying if money is no object: Asparagus, avocados, bananas, bread, broccoli, cauliflower, cereals, sweet corn, kiwi, mangos, oils, onions, papaya, pasta, pineapples, potato chips, and sweet peas. Also included are packaged products such as canned vegetables and dried fruit.

Seafood and cosmetics are not worth buying because certain government standards have not yet been met.

Make sure what you’re getting is the real thing! Here’s the rundown on the label lingo:

· "100% organic": No synthetic ingredients are allowed by law

· "Organic": At least 95% of ingredients are organically produced

· "Made with Organic Ingredients": At least 70% of ingredients are organic

Is this pricey produce too steep for your budget? Cut the cost of organic foods by comparison shopping, buying locally (check farmers' markets), buying a share in a community-supported organic farm for regular supply, or ordering by mail.