Organic Food
What is organic food?
Organic food is more defined by what is not used in how it's grown. Things like sewer sludge fertilizer, or synthetic ferltlizers, or pesticides, herbicides, or harsh chemicals. Those things are not used in the growing of organic food. For animals it means that antibiotics and hormones are not used.
Why is organic food better for my health and the environment?
One of the main reasons that organic food is better for your health is that they do not use pesticides. Conventional food can use lots of different combinations of pesticides, and pesticides can still show up in your food. It's one reason that organic food is healthier. Also, the pesticides can run off into the waterways and pollute it, so that's another reason that pesticides aren't good for the environment. Another advantage of organic farming is that they use methods like crop rotation which helps to nourish the soil, and they also conserve more energy.
How do I know if my food is organic?
Look on the labels. Most food, if it is organic, is labeled. So that's fruits, vegetables, even your prepackaged food. Also, look at the ingredients. Some food may not say 'organic', but is made with a lot of organic products. It's always good to look at the label, just to see what's in it.
Who is responsible for organic standards?
The United States Department of Agriculture sets the standards for what is considered organic, and private companies can certify a farm as an organic farm or having organic produce. You can also check with your local farmers' markets because some smaller farms may farm organically but just don't have the official certification for various reasons.
What is the difference between natural and organic food labels?
Organic does not mean natural. Natural food is not a legal term, so it has a pretty wide definition. Generally, it means food that is minimally processed and has no preservatives.
Where can I buy organic food?
Organic food is getting easier and easier to buy. You can try your local farmers' market. You can try health food stores. Also, your local grocery store will probably have a pretty large selection.
Why is organic food sometimes more expensive?
Organic food is usually a little more expensive, because they don't use things like pesticides and other harsh chemicals. They have to use more labour, which can be costly. Also, it's in smaller quantities, so it costs more for the shipping and handling and marketing distribution.
Why is buying fruits which are 'in season' better for the environment?
Buying fruits that are in season are better for environment because they don't have to be shipped from another part of the world where that fruit is in season. You don't have all the carbon emissions and all the packaging and pollution related to that.
