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What's organic all about?

Why buy organic food?

Organic agriculture uses sustainable systems that are in tune with nature, taking into account the interconnected relationships between soil, plants, animals, people and the environment.  Conventional farming methods that have been employed on a mass scale since WW2 have tended to focus on intensive farming methods, with the goals of maximizing yields and increasing profits, which has proved to be unsustainable in the longer term.  The many food scares of recent years, particularly the horrors of BSE, have led more of us to question exactly how our food is produced.  The public is gradually realizing the hidden costs of cheap food, and this awareness has contributed to the huge increase in demand for organically produced foods.

Organic food is grown without the routine use of chemical pesticides, which can leave residues in foods.  Experts are unsure of the potential effects a cocktail of unnatural chemicals can have on our bodies, but to me it makes sense to avoid eating artificial chemicals.  Organic farms work with nature by promoting the habitats of natural pest controllers, such as birds, beetles and spiders.  This involves encouraging wildlife by having trees and hedgerows, and leaving wide unfarmed edges around fields where wildflowers can flourish.  This all helps to create a balanced ecosystem.  Organic farmers use a combination of crop rotation, composted manure and crops that naturally put nitrogen into the soil to provide plants with all the nutrients they need, and avoid the use of artificial fertilizers.

The law regarding the labeling of organic food is strict, and there are various organizations that implement certain standards that producers have to meet to ensure their products can be given official organic certification.  These include the avoidance of GM ingredients and artificial additives, and restrictions on using antibiotics and other drugs when rearing animals.  Animal welfare is an integral part of organic farming.  Consumers should look out for organic products that have been certified by a respected body, such as The Soil Association in the UK.

To my mind there are numerous benefits of "going organic"…

Environmental Benefits:
Organic farming methods are better for the environment, encouraging biodiversity, reducing pollution of air and water, and minimizing waste. 

Animal Welfare Benefits:
Animals on organic farms are not intensively reared and have the freedom to live a more natural life.  The routine use of antibiotics is banned and animals are fed a diet of natural food.

Health Benefits:
According to The Soil Association: "On average, organic food contains higher levels of vitamin C and essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron and chromium as well as cancer-fighting antioxidants".  Organic skincare and beauty products such as cosmetics can also be beneficial for health as they cut down on the number of artificial chemicals that we are exposed to in our daily lives.

Taste:
I personally believe that organic food has a better taste and a fuller flavour, probably because it tastes as nature intended!

Buying Organic Products Online…
As well as food and drink, there are all kinds of organically produced products available online.  For example, although eco clothes made from organically grown cotton may not be widely available in the shops (yet), the internet makes it easier for you to buy clothing, bedding, towels and other fabric items for the ethical home.   Organic shampoo and other beauty products, as well as organic essential oils, are also increasingly available via the net.  I prefer to support companies that are actively doing something to promote a sustainable future than to buy from the big global companies whose priorities are to maximize profits for their shareholders, regardless of the damaging affects their decisions may have on the environment and local communities.

For more information on organic issues, I find the following sites useful:

www.soilassociation.org - Championing the organic cause in the UK.

www.organicconsumers.org - Up to date news on organic and ethical issues, mainly for consumers in the US.