Why
organic? Many ask that question…Some have changed their way of life
to experience it and are very happy with the results. Others are
still skeptic about the benefits of adding organic products to their
diet. For years our society focused on the industrialization of the
food industry, this resulted in food products that are laced with
chemical residue; food products that supply our body with a very
limited amount of the vitamins, minerals and nutrients it needs to
remain healthy. The resurgence of responsible farming methods as
well as the increased consumption of products produced by these
methods will enable us to raise a healthier and stronger future
generations. It will allow us to protect water quality and keep
chemicals off our plate. It will enable us to protect health of farm
workers while helping small farmers support a true economy and
promote biodiversity. To top it all, the products harvested are more
flavorful. Yes, when we purchase organic products we dictate and
influence our life and that of others in a positive way.
What does Organic means? The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB)
in April 1995 said, "Organic agriculture is an ecological production
management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity,
biological
cycles and soil biological activity. It is based on minimal use of
off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain
and enhance ecological harmony. The labeling “Organic” on
produce says the materials and agricultural process used to grow
these products are ecologically friendly--no pesticides,
fertilizers, etc. were used. All the elements involved in the
agricultural process—soil, plant, animal, and people—will continue
to grow and flourish as a result of it. Certified third-party
independent certifiers inspect organic growers and processors in
order to guarantee organic standards and quality. The growers must
also follow strict guidelines for safe and hygienic food production.
The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine says
“Growing crops in healthy soils results in food products that offer
healthy nutrients. There is mounting evidence that organically grown
fruits, vegetables and grains offer more of some nutrients,
including vitamin C, iron, magnesium and phosphorus, and less
exposure to nitrates and pesticide residues than their counterparts
grown using synthetic pesticides and fertilizers.” There are
significantly more of several nutrients in organic crops. These
include: 27% more vitamin C, 21.1% more iron, 29.3% more magnesium,
and 13.6% more phosphorus. In addition, organic products had 15.1%
less nitrates than their conventional counterparts.
Analyzing
U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Pesticide Data Program, a
Consumer Union report found that some conventional grown fruits
and vegetables---fresh peaches, frozen and fresh winter squash,
apples, grapes, spinach, pears, and green beans--had some of the
highest Toxicity Index ratings. As a result, the Consumers
Union recommended purchasing organically grown apples, peaches,
pears, grapes, winter squash, spinach and green beans.
Why should our children eat organic food? To give them the best
start in life and strengthen their immune system. Since a child’s
body and his immune system are still in a state of development,
cancer-causing pesticides in foods can negatively impact their
health. The largest contribution to a person's lifetime risk of
cancer from pesticide residues occurs during childhood. Also,
children are fed more vegetables and fruits than adults increasing
the amount of potential contaminants they are exposed to--The
U.S. Centers for Disease Control reports that one of the main
source of pesticide exposure for children in the United States comes
from the food they eat. Currently over 400 chemicals can be
regularly used in conventional farming to kill weeds and insects
while over 300 synthetic food additives are allowed by the FDA
in conventional foods. For example, conventionally grown apples can
be sprayed up to 16 times with 36 different pesticides. None of
these are allowed in foods that are USDA certified organic.
In
addition to improving the health of the current generation as well
as building stronger and healthier future generations, consumption
of organic food promotes and supports organic farming. Organic
farming protects the health of the environment and the farm workers
too. How does it do it? It keeps pesticides and chemicals out of
the earth and off our plate. As a result, our water supply remains
of high quality. Small farmers are able to raise their family and
make a living using the land that they cultivate without being
subjected to cancer-causing chemicals. Organic farming promotes
biodiversity vs. conventional farming’s lack of natural
diversity of plant life which leaves the soil depleted of natural
minerals and nutrients. To replace the missing nutrients, chemical
fertilizers are used.
The best reason to eat organic is that organic products are tastier
than their conventional counterparts. This is because organic fruits
and vegetables tend to grow more slowly and have lower water content
than non-organic varieties. So organic food really maintains its
natural flavor.
Organic is it worth the price? Proper nutrition is essential
to human growth, development and well-being. It is in fact
impossible to separate health and nutrition. Thus, by buying
organic, we get closer to leading a healthful life.
Consumers can buy organic at a reasonable cost by buying fruits and
vegetables when they are in season. If there are farmers markets in
your area, nothing beats purchasing directly from the growers. Also,
by joining organic buying club/co-ops in their area, consumers can
purchase organic products at their freshest stage and at a very
reasonable cost. By choosing organic, you protect your health and
your environment.
Why
organic? Many ask that question…Some have changed their way of life
to experience it and are very happy with the results. Others are
still skeptic about the benefits of adding organic products to their
diet. For years our society focused on the industrialization of the
food industry, this resulted in food products that are laced with
chemical residue; food products that supply our body with a very
limited amount of the vitamins, minerals and nutrients it needs to
remain healthy. The resurgence of responsible farming methods as
well as the increased consumption of products produced by these
methods will enable us to raise a healthier and stronger future
generations. It will allow us to protect water quality and keep
chemicals off our plate. It will enable us to protect health of farm
workers while helping small farmers support a true economy and
promote biodiversity. To top it all, the products harvested are more
flavorful. Yes, when we purchase organic products we dictate and
influence our life and that of others in a positive way.
biological
cycles and soil biological activity. It is based on minimal use of
off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain
and enhance ecological harmony. The labeling “Organic” on
produce says the materials and agricultural process used to grow
these products are ecologically friendly--no pesticides,
fertilizers, etc. were used. All the elements involved in the
agricultural process—soil, plant, animal, and people—will continue
to grow and flourish as a result of it. Certified third-party
independent certifiers inspect organic growers and processors in
order to guarantee organic standards and quality. The growers must
also follow strict guidelines for safe and hygienic food production.
Analyzing
U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Pesticide Data Program, a
Consumer Union report found that some conventional grown fruits
and vegetables---fresh peaches, frozen and fresh winter squash,
apples, grapes, spinach, pears, and green beans--had some of the
highest Toxicity Index ratings. As a result, the Consumers
Union recommended purchasing organically grown apples, peaches,
pears, grapes, winter squash, spinach and green beans.
In
addition to improving the health of the current generation as well
as building stronger and healthier future generations, consumption
of organic food promotes and supports organic farming. Organic
farming protects the health of the environment and the farm workers
too. How does it do it? It keeps pesticides and chemicals out of
the earth and off our plate. As a result, our water supply remains
of high quality. Small farmers are able to raise their family and
make a living using the land that they cultivate without being
subjected to cancer-causing chemicals. Organic farming promotes
biodiversity vs. conventional farming’s lack of natural
diversity of plant life which leaves the soil depleted of natural
minerals and nutrients. To replace the missing nutrients, chemical
fertilizers are used.