Do you eat organic food? Why do you buy it? Where do you buy it from? What is the reason behind your seeking out of organic food over ‘normal’ foods on the supermarket shelves?
We come from a society where growing organic, produce and livestock for food was once one and the same. Small, family farms still grow their own food. Using traditional methods passed down through the generations. As commercial farming became big-business, however, growers and farmers started to investigate methods of increasing crops. Building bigger livestock in order to increase their profits. This led to increased use of pesticides and drugs to enhance yield.
In this article, we will look at what is required in order to call a product organic. As well as how choosing organic eating and farming impact the environment and our health. We’ll also discuss the benefits of eating organic foods. Then what research says about the nutritional benefits of organically-grown produce. Let’s find out more about organic food.
Calling It Organic
In 1995, the US National Organic Standards Board passed the definition of ‘organic’. It’s a labelling term denoting products produced under the authority of the Organic Foods Production Act. It states, “Organic agriculture is an ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. It’s based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain, and enhance ecological harmony.”
The Organic Goal
The primary goal of organic agriculture is to optimise the health and productivity of interdependent communities of soil life, plants, animals, and people.
The philosophy of organic production of livestock is to provide conditions that meet the health needs and natural behaviour of the animal. Organic livestock must be given access to the outdoors. Along with fresh air, water, sunshine, grass and pasture. They must be fed 100% organic feed. They must not be given or fed hormones, antibiotics or other animal drugs in their feed. If an animal gets sick and needs antibiotics, they cannot be considered organic. Feeding of animal parts of any kind to ruminants that, by nature, eat a vegetarian diet, is also prohibited. Thus, no animal by-products of any sort are incorporated in organic feed at any time.
Record Keeping
Farmers must keep extensive records as part of their farming and handling plans in order to be certified organic. Meaning it is possible to trace the animal from birth to market of the meat. When meat is labelled as organic, this means that 100% of that product is organic.
Organic crops must be produced without the use of pesticides. However it is estimated that between 10-25% of organic fruits and vegetables contain some residues of synthetic pesticides. This is because of the influence of rain, air and polluted water sources. In order to qualify as ‘organic’, crops must be grown on soil free of prohibited substances for three years before harvest. Three full years. Until then, they cannot be called organic.
Sometimes pests get out of balance and traditional organic methods don’t work for pest control. In this case, did you know farmers can request permission to use other products? Ones that are considered low risk by the National Organic Standards Board? Interesting stuff!
The Environment
According to the 15-year study, “Farming Systems Trial”, organic soils have higher microbial content, making for healthier soils and plants. This study concluded that organically grown foods are raised in soils that have better physical structure. They provide better drainage and may support higher microbial activity. In years of drought, organic systems may possibly outperform conventional systems.
Our Future
So, organic growing may help feed more people in our future! What is the cost of conventional farming, today? The above-mentioned 15 -year study showed that conventional farming uses 50% more energy than organic farming. In one report, it was estimated that only 0.1% of applied pesticides actually reach the targets, leaving most of the pesticide, 99.9%, to impact the environment. Multiple investigations have shown that our water supplies, both in rivers and area tap waters, are showing high levels of pesticides and antibiotics used in farming practices. Water samples taken from the Ohio River as well as area tap water contained trace amounts of penicillin, tetracycline and vancomycin.
Toxicity
Toxic chemicals are contaminating groundwater on every inhabited continent, endangering the world’s most valuable supplies of freshwater, according to a Worldwatch paper, Deep Trouble: The Hidden Threat of Groundwater Pollution. Calling for a systemic overhaul of manufacturing and industrial agriculture, the paper notes that several water utilities in Germany now pay farmers to switch to organic operations because this costs less than removing farm chemicals from water supplies.
What About Our Health?
Eating organic food is not a fad. As people become more informed and aware, they are taking steps to ensure their health. US sales of organic food totalled 5.4 billion dollars in 1998, but was up to 7.8 billion dollars in the year 2000. The 2004 Whole Foods Market Organic Foods Trend Tracker survey found that 27% of Americans are eating more organic foods than they did a year ago.
A study conducted by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation reports that the number of people poisoned by drifting pesticides increased by 20% during 2000.
A rise in interest and concern for the use of pesticides in food resulted in the passage of the 1996 Food Quality Protection Act, directing the US EPA to reassess the usage and impact of pesticides for food use.
Next Generations
How are we damaging our children and our children’s children? Particular attention was paid to the impact on children and infants. Their lower body weights and higher consumption of food per body weight present higher exposure to any risks associated with pesticide residues. Not good.
Publishing an update to its 1999 report on food safety, the Consumers Union in May 2000 reiterated that pesticide residues in foods children eat every day often exceed safe levels. The update found high levels of pesticide residues on winter produce. Squash, peaches, apples, grapes, pears, green beans, spinach, strawberries, and cantaloupe. The Consumers Union urged consumers to consider buying organically grown varieties, particularly of these fruits and vegetables. The most common class of pesticide in the US is organophosphates (OP’s). These are known as neurotoxins.
Harmful Effects
An article published in 2002 examined the urine concentration of OP residues in 2-5 year olds. Researchers found, on average, that children eating conventionally grown food showed an 8.5 times higher amount of OP residue in their urine than those eating organic food. Studies have also shown harmful effects on fetal growth, as well.
Pesticides are not the only threat, however. 70% of all antibiotics in the US are used to fatten up livestock, today. Farm animals receive 24.6 million pounds of antibiotics per year!
Public health authorities now link low-level antibiotic use in livestock to greater numbers of people contracting infections that resist treatment with the same drugs. The American Medical Association adopted a resolution in June of 2001. This was opposing the use of sub-therapeutic levels of antibiotics in agriculture. The World Health Organization, in its 2001 report, urged farmers to stop using antibiotics for growth promotion. Studies are finding the same antibiotic resistant bacteria in the intestines of consumers that develop in commercial meats and poultry.
Is It More Nutritious?
Until recently, there had been little evidence that organically grown produce was higher in nutrients. It’s long been held that healthier soils would produce a product higher in nutritional quality, but there was never the science to support this belief. Everyone agrees that organic foods taste better.
More Goodness
In 2001, nutrition specialist Virginia Worthington published her review of 41 published studies. These were comparing the nutritional values of organic and conventionally grown fruits, vegetables and grains. What she found was that organically grown crops provided 17% more vitamin C conventionally grown products. Furthermore, 21% more iron, 29% more magnesium, and 13.6% more phosphorus!
She noted that five servings of organic vegetables provided the recommended daily intake of vitamin C for men and women. Their conventional counterparts did not. Today there are more studies that show the same results that Ms. Worthington concluded.
Organic Is Available
Many people say they cannot find organic food. This could be true, maybe they live in places where it is less readily available. However it is available in more places than ever before. When you consider the health benefits, we should be eating more organic food. Consider the knowledge of how conventionally grown and raised food is impacting the planet. Most people buy their food in local supermarkets. With that, the good news is that more markets are providing natural and organic foods in stores.
Findings from a survey by Supermarket News showed that 61% of consumers now buy their organic foods in supermarkets. More communities and health agencies also are working to set up more farmer’s markets. This brings more organic, locally grown foods to the consumer. The next time you go shopping, consider investigating organic choices to see if it’s indeed worth the change!
12 Foods That Must Be Organic
How To Save Money On Organic Food
There is great debate at the moment on whether it is worthwhile purchasing organic food. It is usually much more expensive than conventional food. The advantages of organic food are well documented. However in my eyes it really comes down to one issue. Do you and your children really want to eat pesticides with your food? Your answer is probably no. If you want to go down the organic route, then how do you go about keeping the cost down? How do you save money on organic food?
Grow Your Own
Firstly, the cheapest method has got to be to grow your own. The great thing is that it doesn’t require you to have much garden space, or even a garden at all!
We grow tomatoes and strawberries in containers. The extra benefit is that you get total control over the growing conditions.
The best combination is to have organic soil together with organically produced seeds or plants. This means you ensure you get the full flavour and benefit.
Containers can be placed anywhere that receives a reasonable amount of daylight. Meaning that you can use them on balconies or other hard surfaces.
Look For Your Local Suppliers
One of the most satisfying things to do is to buy organic food locally. That way you get the freshest ingredients for your kitchen and also get to support local businesses. With no transportation costs for the supplier too you should get very competitive prices.
Don’t forget that these same businesses will be employing local staff so you are also helping the local economy. Everybody wins in this scenario.
Visit Local Markets
We visit a big monthly market held on a disused airstrip. Organic food is just one of the variety of items sold there. The prices are very, very good indeed. Of course they are all local suppliers. With several of them in one place we benefit from healthy competition and get to sample a lot of fruit! Less air miles, less pollution. From crop to table in a matter of hours!
Try Local Box Schemes
If you are unable to get out of your house or are too busy working to select your groceries by hand then why not subscribe to an organic box scheme? You will receive, delivered to your door, a weekly selection of fruit and vegetables in season. It’s great for couples, families and individuals as you can tailor your order accordingly.
Go To Farm Shops
Finally, investigate whether any farms near you are operating an organic farm shop. Our local one is operated on an open farm. This means you can go and see where the animals are being kept. Talk to the producers and take a look at the crops being grown. They actually have a well-designed walking route around the farm which makes a nice day out for the kids too.
Time To Go Organic?
Organic food is clearly better for us. For our kids. However, until the price drops and organic practices become even more commonplace, the foods will be out of the price point of many people. Use some of the top tips above to save money and bring more organic food to your table.
Finally, the best place to start is to grow your own. There’s nothing like going to your garden and digging up fresh vegetables. Picking fresh fruit off the tree or bush for your tea. Do you have the space to start growing at home? Perhaps an allotment could be a good investment? Get your children involved in this process and they’ll be more interested in the food on their plate. Undoubtedly this is important as they are the next generation who will bring further change to our world. In conclusion, making the change to organic is fantastic!