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   The Organic Revolution by Mary Huber
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Organic food is food that we grow without chemical fertilisers or genetic modifications. This is the way food has been grown throughout most of history. Organic food comes from soil using natural fertilisers and natural methods without additives, preservatives, artificial colours or flavours. But why do people prefer organic food?

Organic is better for your body
Organic food generally has higher amounts of vitamins, minerals and essential acids than non-organic food. Study after study shows that organic food usually contains rich levels of such essential nutrients as magnesium, calcium, iron, omega 3 and vitamin C – all of which help the body fight off illness.
Organic is good for wildlife
Organic farmers try to grow their food as naturally as possible. Organic farmers therefore rely on wildlife to help control the insects and pests that attack crops. Organic farmers leave wide strips of wild ground at the edge of their fields to encourage the birds, bees and beasts to do their work. All of this encourages a very diverse range of wildlife to flourish. Studies in Europe show that organic farms sustain around 50% more plant, insect, bird and animal diversity than non-organic farms.

Organic is better at reducing climate change
The statistics are alarming. Up to 20% of many countries' greenhouse gas emissions are directly related to food farming. Using nitrogen fertilisers for non-organic farming is the worst offender. One ton of nitrogen fertiliser requires 100 tons of water and one ton of oil to manufacture. Natural fertilisers, by contrast, simply recycle the nutrients needed for crop growth.

Organic is GM free
Genetically modified (GM) crops are increasingly important in the feeding of livestock. This means that many products like milk, cheese, pork and bacon increasingly depend on GM-based food chains. Organic labels ban GM foods in the supply chain. This is because organic is based on the concept of natural goodness rather than artificial or genetic modification.

 

 

 

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  Last Updated ( Friday, 25 June 2010 13:56 )