| |
Organic
Food
 The
term "organic" as it relates to food, refers to the
way it was grown and processed. The methods used to grow organic food have a
minimum impact on our environment. These methods replenish and maintain soil
fertility, minimize or eliminate the use of toxic chemical pesticides and
fertilizers and build a biologically diverse agriculture. These foods are
minimally processed without the addition of artificial ingredients, artificial
ripening processes, preservatives and the use of irradiation. No drugs
such as growth hormones, and antibiotics are used. Some of the methods farmers
use to control pest and disease problems with crops include:
- Alternating of crops
grown in a field year by year
- Planting cover crops
such as clover to add nutrients to the soil and prevent weeds
- Utilizing beneficial
insects to control pests
- Using compost to help
the soil retain nutrients and moisture
|
Some of the
organic standards in place for certification include:
- The land on which
organic food is grown must be free of prohibitive substances, such
as chemical pesticides, for a period of three years.
- The farmers and
processors need to have detailed records of the products used on the
crops and the methods of production.
- These methods and
materials used by the farmers are inspected annually by a third
party certifier approved by the National Department of Agriculture.
- All farmers and
processors must maintain written organic plans on their management
practices.
|
When you buy organic food and
products you benefit your health and the environment by supporting businesses
that operate in a sustainable way.
Some of
the reasons we should be buying organic food and products includes:
-
Organic
foods meet stringent standards for their purity and safety.
-
Organic
food production minimizes toxic chemicals which prevents pollution
to our air, soil and water and health risks to ourselves.
-
Organic
farming respects the balance of nature by building soil and
encouraging wildlife and minimizing the impact of farming on the
environment.
-
Organic
livestock producers don't use growth hormones, antibiotics and
unhealthy overcrowded growing conditions.
|
Healthgoods Staff
Path:
Home>Education>Food
and Nutrition Information>Organic
Food
|
|
