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What is Organic?
Organic farming is a system of farming that emphasizes soil fertility. By using natural farming methods, organic farmers are able to produce healthy, nutritious vegetables and fruits, accomplishing this by composting, rotating crops, and cover crops. The word organic is actually a reactionary term to “pesticides.” Soil management is the foundation to providing food that consumers can trust and enjoy without worrying about synthetic fertilizers/pesticides, irradiated food or genetically modified organisms. Organic foods not only enhance the local community, organic farming practices are safer and healthier for consumers and all the farm workers. Organic farms do not contaminate our soils or pollute our water supplies. Organic farming has great respect for our land and the subsequent runoff into our water systems. For those who may not be aware of the many benefits of eating organic foods, here is a small list of reasons why organic is best: 1. You’ll be keeping chemicals off of your plate
2. You’ll be getting more flavorful foods
3. You’ll be eating foods that are really healthy
4. You’ll be doing your part to be environmentally responsible
5. You’ll be protecting future generations
6. You’ll be helping to prevent soil erosion
7. You’ll be helping to protect our water quality
8. You’ll be helping to prevent animal cruelty
9. You’ll be decreasing the risk of ingesting toxins that can lead to carcinogens
10. You’ll be making a clear statement that you no longer wish to buy foods that are saturated with all manner of chemicals Organic foods are clearly our best choice. So how do we go about purchasing organic foods? For those of us living in certain areas, some wonderful choices abound. Organic foods have been offered for sale at several grocery and health food stores for some time now. However, some relatively new and exciting alternatives are now available in the form of organic food purchases as well. Organic Food Delivery Services are springing up around the country and every week customers can receive what is in season at the best prices, so there is a lot of variety. Several people who choose this method of shopping have commented that it is like Christmas once a week because it is always a pleasant surprise.
There is no question but that organic foods are the best foods for us, both from a health standpoint and an environmental standpoint. However, it will be important to keep a close eye on the firm standards that organic food production now maintains. A story reported in "The New York Times" last week implies that some of the largest stores now want to jump on the organic bandwagon. This is, of course, due to the fact that even though it is still considered "a niche market" the organic food industry is nonetheless a $12 billion industry. The total food industry of $500 billion would be happy, no doubt, to capture another $12 billion since the growing appeal of organic foods has fueled a 20 percent annual growth rate in recent years, making it highly attractive to the food giants. Some organic pioneers and consumer groups, however, are concerned that this movement would bring about compromised food production unless these standards are strictly maintained. As organic foods continue to enter the mainstream, there are harsh debates over what the word “organic” exactly means. As far as true organic foods farmers are concerned, this simply means a natural approach to chemical-free farming, doing no harm to the land and the waters that sustain us. According to Wikipedia, here is the definition of organic foods: foods that are produced according to certain production standards, meaning they are grown without the use of conventional pesticides, artificial fertilizers, human waste, or sewage sludge, and that they were processed without ionizing radiation or food additives. Livestock are reared without the routine use of antibiotics and without the use of growth hormones. In most countries, organic produce must not be genetically modified.¹ Conversely, it appears that if the organic foods world does become the mainstream, and does remain pure, then everyone wins. ¹Wikipedia – the free online encyclopedia |
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This intel was contributed by Oceana
Oceana
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May, 2012
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