Food

Organic food is produced according to a set of principles and standards concerning such issues as pesticides, additives, animal welfare and sustainability. Organic food began as a small movement with farmers rejecting the use of conventional farming practices. Organic food is produced by farmers who emphasize the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future generations.

Organic food differs from conventionally produced food in the way it is grown, handled, and processed. Organic foods can be either fresh or processed, based on production methods. It  is produced without using most conventional pesticides; fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge; bioengineering; or ionizing radiation. Organic foods are not necessarily completely chemical free, but the pesticide residues are considerably lower than those found in foods produced with synthetic chemicals. 

Organic foods is often more expensive because production is more labor intensive and, without herbicides, pesticides and other chemicals, the yield is generally smaller, but, organic food is better for the environment. Organic food also tends to include more of the environmental costs that conventional agriculture tends to externalize.  

Organic food is known to contain 50% more nutrients, minerals and vitamins than produce that has been intensively farmed. Organic food is especially higher in vitamin C, antioxidants, iron, phosphorus, calcium, and magnesium. 

Organic Farms

Organic farms are better than conventional farms at sustaining diverse ecosystems. Organic farming standards do not allow the use of synthetic pesticides, but they do allow the use of specific pesticides derived from plants. Organic products typically cost 10 to 40% more than similar conventionally produced products. The farmers use certain processed fertilizers such as seed meal, and various mineral powders such as rock phosphate and greensand, a naturally occurring form of potash. Organic pest control involves the cumulative effect of many techniques, including, allowing for an acceptable level of pest damage, encouraging or even introducing beneficial organisms, careful crop selection and crop rotation, and mechanical controls such as row covers and traps. 

Organic agriculture is considered by many policy makers in Europe, India, and China to be a beneficial activity with external benefits for society, and thus there are some efforts to encourage it with subsidies, especially in Europe and China. Organic farming is now gaining popularity and is being accepted by people all over the world. Production is slower, more labor-intensive and generally has lower yields than conventional methods.  Organic or Biodynamic certification gives you the consumer assurance that your food is delivered to you the way nature intended your fruit and vegetables to be … organic and natural.

Healthy soils produce healthy food and healthy food ensures healthy people are the basic tenet of many organic farming systems. The production, sale and consumption of organic foods reflects both a concern for the environment and a concern for human health. According to the international organic farming organization IFOAM : "The role of organic agriculture, whether in farming, processing, distribution, or consumption, is to sustain and enhance the health of ecosystems and organisms from the smallest in the soil to human beings“.

 Back to top Organic and Biodynamic farmers rely on building and maintaining healthy, fertile soil and a naturally balanced ecosystem. The quality of soil, animal welfare and a balanced and healthy ecosystem are crucial in producing wholesome organic produce.  Others appreciate that organic foods promote a healthier and more sustainable use of the environment, and more humane treatment of animals. You can buy organic food from some supermarkets some green grocers, Queen Victoria Market Health food shops some fresh food markets and ”Internet Certified“ organic retailers.

Finally

Organic foods contain more minerals and vitamins than products that have been farmed using the standard methods of farming. It is produced by farmers who emphasize the use of renewable resources and the conservation of soil and water to enhance environmental quality for future generations. It ensures high food quality, which other conventional foods cannot commit. 

Organic food has jumped from the margins to the mainstream and is now the fastest growing food category on supermarket shelves. Organic foods are becoming much more widely available and organic food sales within the United States have grown by 17% to 20% a year for the past few years.

© Copyright: Magriet Du Plessis

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