This is not my... Organic
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Is organic good? What does it mean? Where can I get it? Does my Dad eat bananas...? |
The answer to the last question is no.
The rest might need a bit more thought and explanation...
Is organic good?
We get organic food in loads of our shops and supermarkets and our M&S staple underwear can now be bought in organic cotton but why is this a good thing?
Well - rather handily the Soil Association have listed out 10 reasons Why Organic is far better than - erm - non-organic.
I've added some inciteful comments (ahem). Here we go:
"1. It's healthy
On average, organic food contains higher levels of vitamin C and essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron and chromium as well as cancer-fighting antioxidants.
So no need to suck on fizzy orange vitamin C tablets and foam at the mouth (when I was little my dog used to have epilepsy so we used to try copying her...)
2. No nasty additives
Organic food doesn't contain food additives which can cause health problems such as heart disease, osteoporosis, migraines and hyperactivity. Amongst the additives banned by the Soil Association are hydrogenated fat, aspartame (artificial sweetener) and monosodium glutamate.
(Hydrogenated fat. It just sounds so wrong!)
3. Avoids pesticides
Over 400 chemical pesticides are routinely used in conventional farming and residues are often present in non-organic food. The UK government has recently found high levels of pesticide residues in baby food, spinach, dried fruit, bread, apples, celery, and chips.
(The WHO also estimates that 20,000 farmers die each year from pesticide poisoning.)
4. No GM
Genetically modified (GM) crops and ingredients are not allowed under organic standards.
(And make you grow a third arm*)
5. Reliance on drugs removed
There is growing concern about the high use of antibiotics on farm animals and the possible effects on human health. Soil Association standards prohibit the routine use of antibiotics.
(If we / animals take too many antibiotics then our resistance to diseases are lowered. Find out more from the Alliance for the prudent use of antibiotics.)
6. No hidden costs
Compare this with the £120m that tax payers fork out to pay for removing chemicals from drinking water, mainly as a result of the pesticides used in farming.
(Which we could then spend on buying a few energy efficient light bulbs for every home in the UK and save ourselves a nuclear power station or two.)
7. High standards
Organic food comes from trusted sources. All organic farms and food companies are inspected at least once a year. The standards for organic food are laid down in European law.
(So there.)
8. Care for animals
Animal welfare is taken very seriously under organic standards. The benefits of the organic approach are acknowledged by animal welfare organisations such as Compassion in World Farming as well as the UK government.
(A happy cow is a tasty cow... Oh it feels so wrong. Quick. Someone cook some bacon. Feel a vegetarian moment coming on...)
9. Good for wildlife and the environment
The UK government has said that organic farming is better for wildlife, causes lower pollution from sprays, produces less carbon dioxide - the main global warming gas - and less dangerous wastes.
(Think of Orm and Cheep! Ha ha - actually despite this being one of the children's shows I remember most fondly this scathing review is quite funny!)
10. Top for taste
Many people prefer organic food because they say it tastes better. A number of top chefs choose organic, and every year many are involved in the Soil Association's organic food awards.
(See told you. Tasty cows.... even though they have those big eyes, and long lashes, and funny little noses...)"
What is Organic?
As someone who is terrible at describing anything I bow to the wisdom of wikipedia....
"Organic food is food produced according to organic standards, which means crops grown without the use of conventional pesticides, as well as artificial fertilizers or sewage sludge, animals reared without the routine use of antibiotics and without the use of growth hormones and food processed without ionizing radiation and without the use of a wide range of food additives. It is produced on all levels without the use of genetically modified organisms."
(Would definitely have missed the bit about 'ionizing radiation'.)
Where can I get it?
If you have been convinced it is a good idea then you will probably be clamoring to get some.
Which you can do easily in most supermarkets and more cheaply (and with less packaging involved) at your local farmers market, or through a box scheme in your area.
Obviously if you have a garden you can try growing your own but bear in mind that a vegetable patch isn't just for Christmas....
So there you go - Organic Fortnight - perhaps it will be a good time to think a bit about better eating, a bit about the environment and a bit about whether Orm and Cheep was one of your favourite childhood television shows.
Enjoy it whichever way x
*This is not only a lie but also extremely improbable.
