10 reasons to choose organic

Organic food skeptics would have you believe that its some sort of trendy fad to want to eat organic food.  The truth is that there are multiple reasons why choosing to eat organic food is better for you, your family and the environment.  Read on…

Organic food is better for you.

Many studies show a strong link between pesticides and cancer, for example, widely used chemicals such as DDT and Chlordane are classified as carcinogens. Unfortunately residue of these chemicals remain in conventional fruits and veg and in time these toxins build – it seems reasonable to think that this could be at least partly responsible for today’s cancer epidemic. Studies also show a link between pesticide exposure and a 70% increase in the chances of developing Parkinson’s.

Better for your family.

Unfortunately, kids are even more susceptible to these toxins; their bodies are smaller and their organs still developing. Reports also prove links with pesticides and ADHD prevalence.

Better for farm workers.

Farm workers are the people who have to deal with these chemicals and this is risky. By eating organic you know that the food you are eating is not only healthy for you and your family, but also for the people who actually produce your food.

Healthy soils.

Scientists agree high-quality soil is the basis for healthy agro-ecosystems.  For years, conventional farming used methyl bromide (a very toxic ozone depleting pesticide) to sterilize soil and this has lefts soils seriously depleted of micro-organisms and therefore, nutrients.  Studies show that Organic fields contain significantly higher amounts of nutrients such as boron, sodium, iron and zinc (which is deficient in Australian soils).

Keeps harmful chemicals out of our water systems.

Organic farmers do not use pesticides, herbicides, fungicides or insecticides, all of which pollute our waterways, our drinking water and our coasts.  Over 30,000 tons of these chemicals were used last year and are major cause of the destruction of the Great Barrier Reef and are contributing to the continued increased salinity of Australia’s water table.

No GMO.

Long term health effects of GMO are unknown as there has been no independent testing.  Australian law means that food in supermarkets does not have to be labelled as GMO, however with organics you are guaranteed no GMO’s.

Organic food is more nutritious.

Although this is difficult to measure there have been many studies to back this up (including this one from the French government last year) and the results from a QLIF project showing “that organic food production methods resulted in higher levels of nutritionally desirable compounds (e.g., vitamins/antioxidants and poly-unsaturated fatty acids such as omega-3 and CLA)”. It follows common logic to believe that if the soil contains more nutrients, then the food grown in it would too.

Organic food is more efficiently produced.

Organic farming is much less reliant on fossil fuels as most weeding is done manually.  Organic farmers don’t use inorganic fertilizers. Nitrogen fertilizer is derived from natural gas and is the single main use of energy in farming, accounting for over 37% of the total energy used by farmers.

Protects biodiversity.

‘Spanning all associated species, there is an average of 30% more (bio diversity) on organic farms versus conventional farming methods’ Why does this matter? More biodiversity means healthier soils, less inputs & higher yields.

Tastes better.

Yes they do. If you need some science to back this up, then there are plenty of stats out there. But how about doing your own tests. Try comparing ‘in season’ organic fruit and veg such as organic tomatoes, strawberries and carrots. You will notice the difference!