What is organic food?
When one walks into a store to buy fruits or vegetables, vendors often question if they are up to purchase more expensive organically-grown produce over the regular ones. Organic food is food produced without using artificial chemicals or gene modification techniques. Traditional food produced uses synthetic insecticides and pesticides on farms to improve crop yield. Livestock farmers use artificial hormones and gene-modified organisms (GMO) to increase growth and produce. Organic farmers practise renewable and natural ways to grow food. They use naturally available pesticides like manure, neem extract and copper sulphate. An organic food store like Healthy Being can give more insights into this.
The necessity of organic farming
Commercially used pesticides are known to cause harmful effects to humans and the environment. Studies show that the chemicals sprayed in farms seep into groundwater resources and pollute ponds and lakes near the farms, polluting natural resources. Over time, they cause a reduction in soil health which leads to a decrease in food quality. Extensive nitrogen use to produce fertilizers has increased the levels of nitrogen found in water bodies which disrupts marine ecosystems.
Exposure to large quantities of pesticides can cause a wide range of health problems. Short term exposure causes nausea, skin irritation and rashes and itching. Prolonged exposure to these chemicals can cause severe disorders like asthma and leukemia. Pregnant women and children are highly vulnerable to pesticide toxicity.
Merits of using organic food
Organic farming improves the quality of food produced. Fruits and vegetables grown organically contain less nitrate and contain more essential nutrients like vitamin C, amino acids and sugars. Organic meat and milk have higher levels of certain nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids.
Farmers use sustainable practices aimed at maintaining and improving soil quality. Natural soil, if preserved in its original condition, contains microorganisms which help plants resist diseases. After growing one round commercial crops, farmers grow cover crops which replenish the nutrients lost in the soil, preparing the soil for another round of cash crops. Having good quality soil helps it hold water for plants and prevents soil erosion. These practices also reduce environmental pollution and reduce the risk of animal exposure to harmful chemicals.
Sources of organic food
The growing awareness about ill-effects of commercial farming has made people want to switch to healthier alternatives. Organic food is now available in supermarkets, farmer’s markets and fresh food outlets. Recently, there is an increase in the number of organic food stores. An organic food store can be found both online and offline, dealing exclusively with organic food products.
Since 2009, the Government of Australia has introduced standards to regulate organic food production and processing. One can use these to certify and label products, making it easy for users to identify naturally grown produce. Here are some suggestions to get one started with organic food:
1. Ensure to check for a label on food that certifies it as produced organically.
2. Organic farmers get certified for practising organic methods of farming for more than three years. Check for grower’s certification displayed on the pack.
3. Ensure the food store has a notice from Organic Retailers’ and Growers’ Association of Australia (ORGAA) and have put it for display at the store.
4. Organic food is often more expensive. If one is on a budget, try to buy those items which are in season. These tend to be cheaper, and the produce is fresher.
