Shakil Zaman asked:

The organic food industry is undergoing an explosion in growth and there is good reason for it. Many people believe that these kinds of foods are much better for your health for many reasons. Most regular foods are processed with additional chemicals for the purpose of preserving the product further or to make the food look more appealing such as adding a color enhancer.

The problem is that we do not know the long term effects that consuming all these synthetic chemicals can have on our body so if you can minimize your consumption of them then it may be the best option to help maintain good health and consuming organic foods is a great way to reduce your intake of these chemicals.

You can find organic foods for almost anything now from fruits to meat. Many large supermarkets carry organic foods and you can even order them online. Organic fruits are grown free of pesticides and chemical fertilizers. They are grown with natural fertilizers and pests are kept at a minimum using other methods that do not involve harsh pesticides. Of course, organic fruits will cost more than the regular variety simply because they do cost more to grow. Also the yield from organic farming is less so fewer fruits are produced.

However organic foods are generally much richer in nutrients than regular foods. This is because the soil used in organic farming is generally much richer in nutrition. Even though organic fruits may not look perfect this does not mean that they have gone bad. It is normal for a fruit to have a few scars on it so do not let that turn you off. Also many people report that organic foods taste much better. If you like the taste of organic fruits and vegetables you are much more likely to eat them more often and we all know that we need to be consuming more fruits and vegetables to maintain optimal health.

Remember that you can always reduce your consumption levels slightly of organic foods and still get great benefits since they are so rich in nutrients. This way you can save money and actually end up paying the same or even less than if you chose the alternative.

Organic meat could also be a better alternative to regular meat.

Meat that is produced organically can be drastically different than that which is produced using traditional methods. Organic beef is produced from cows that are raised without the use of hormones and also these cows are raised in open fields and are allowed to roam freely and socialize with other cows as they would in nature.

This is a far more humane manner of treating animals and supporting the organic meat industry can be justified just based on this reason alone. Organic meat will also cost more than regular meat but the added benefits as far as nutrition and also benefits to the environment and the animals themselves can make it worth the slight extra cost. Again the reason for the extra cost is that organic meat farmers cannot produce as much as farmers using conventional methods so they must charge more in order to stay in business.

You can even consider making some of your own organic foods such as fruits and vegetables in your backyard when the season is appropriate. Make sure to get organic plant seeds and be sure to use organic fertilizers. Also remember that organic farming is much more friendly to the environment since there is no use of harsh chemicals that kill pests and also degrade the quality of the soil. Consider organic foods as part of your diet to help you to maintain better health.

Kaylee

Muna wa Wanjiru asked:

Although it took some time for organic foods per se to truly catch the attention of the general populace, the organic food market these days is a thriving industry and one that can only become bigger as the years progress and more and more people turn away from chemical enriched foods.

Of course not everyone cares about exactly what they eat or how it was produced, if they did we wouldn’t have had a need for a separate “organic food market”, would we? The fact remains however that some people do care, and although the number isn’t yet overwhelming, it is growing annually at healthy percentage.

This in turn paves the way to open up the organic food market even more. And this means that the prices of organic foods also come down, which is a heaven-sent opportunity really to garner more and more people to the side of organic foods.

Why? Simply because as the prices come down to something manageable, and the whole fad of being healthy, living healthy and eating healthy builds up slowly, more people will turn more willingly towards the organic food market than they might otherwise have done if the price tags on organic foods remained high.

This in turn will spur more farmers to go organic than otherwise would have, if there was only a small consumer base for the organic food market. And this in turn, will help to bring more organic food to the consumer.

It’s definitely a cycle and not a vicious one unless of course you’re a farmer who prefers the use of chemical pesticides over natural ones, artificial fertilizers over natural fertilizers, and who doesn’t mind that they are using genetically modified plants and seed stock as their crops.

It is also interesting to note that the organic food market doesn’t only encompass produce in the form of fruits and vegetables, but it only encompasses such things as dairy products, meats, fish, poultry, and processed foods as well.

This means that the production of organic foods is down not only to produce farmers, but also to livestock farmers and plants that generate processed foods. In fact, the spread of the organic food market doesn’t stop there. It goes on to encompass health food stores as well as grocery stores interested in selling organic foods, and specialty stores that deal only in organically grown, cultivated or managed foods.

And to truly understand how wide open the organic food market really is, all you need to is to look into pet stores and the items they are selling. Organic foods it seems, has spilled over into this area as well, and health conscious pet owners can now find organic pet foods littering the pet stores as well!

Brooklyn

Zachary Thompson asked:


There are many contaminants that assault us on a daily basis. These toxins are in the air we breathe, the water we drink and the foods we eat, to name just a few. Eating organic food greatly reduces the toxins we consume in our food. Organic food is becoming more popular as people are becoming more health conscious. There are now certain regulations for growing organic foods commercially and many foods, especially eggs, bear an organic certification label.

What is organic food?

Organic food is food that is grown naturally without the aid of commercial fertilizers and chemicals like insecticides, herbicides, and anti-fungal substances. Organic growers use only organic fertilizers and remedies for growing plants. These foods are natural and unrefined. Feeding the animals food that has no chemicals added to it in turn produces organic animal products such as meat, poultry and eggs. For example, chickens and poultry are allowed to roam free as opposed to being kept cooped up in cages, and fruits and vegetables are not chemically ripened.

Advantages of organic food:

There are several advantages for us in eating organic foods:

• There are considerably less toxins in the food as it is grown without the aid of chemicals

• It is often better tasting

• Better for you-there are more nutrients in organic foods and Omega 3 is often found in organic eggs.

How Organic food will improve your health:

A natural diet consisting of unrefined foods, more fiber less chemicals and toxins will improve your overall health in several ways:

• More fiber from fiber rich foods and those that are unrefined will help your digestive system and allow your whole body to function better.

• Some organic eggs are produced from chickens that are fed on vegetarian feed. This will cut down trans fat and animal fat in the eggs. Omega 3 is found in organic eggs, this substance can be good for the heart.

• There is more iron in the yolk of an organic egg. As seen by the pale color of the commercial egg yolk as opposed to the dark yellow/orange of the organic egg.

• Due to the absence of refinement in organic food it is more satisfying and will help you with any weight loss program by encouraging you to eat less.

• Organic fruits and vegetables have more nutrition than commercially grown ones so you will be feeding your body with better food and improve your overall health.

Organic foods are the wave of the future as more people become more educated about their health and the foods that are good for them. At present, prices are a little higher for organic products but it is worth it when you consider the benefits. By switching to organic food you will improve your health and wellbeing and you will also be able to boost your immune system and help your body fight off diseases and toxins.

Vic Errington asked:


Are you wondering what all the hype is about organic food? Do you actually know what it is? If you are interested in going organic, or just plain curious then read on…

The organic food industry has seen tremendous growth within recent years. Increased demand has led to increased production, creating a need for general standards and a legal definition of organic food.

Most countries have adopted their own laws and standards for uniformity within organic production and processing. This eliminates confusion while protecting consumers and manufacturers.

Organic Food Definition

Under most circumstances, organic foods are those grown without the use of synthetic (and often toxic) chemicals, pesticides, fertilizers and other inputs. Livestock intended for domestic consumption is not given hormone injections (artificial growth), and is not given antibiotics as routine. Processing is also a chemical-free procedure.

Organic foods are produced and processed using techniques that benefit the whole environment; soil, water, air, animals and humans.

The Origin of Organic

The organic food market was around long before a legal definition of organic existed. Natural, chemical-free cultivation has been common practice for centuries among small farms. Before the recent increase in demand for organic products, local farms and markets were the only source for fresh organic food.

Today organic standards and certification laws regulate the market, ensuring consumers a product that is truly organic, but there are still many small farms that use strictly organic growing methods without certification. Not all organic farms can afford the costs of certification, meaning their foods will not bear the organic label although produced to the same standards.

What Foods are Organic?

When you think of organic food, fruits and vegetables are the items that typically come to mind. Now, there is much greater variety in the organic market. There are organic options for almost everything today! Organic meats; organic dairy products; organic grains for pasta and cereal; you can even find organic desserts, chocolate, beers and wines.

What is Certified Organic?

In most countries, foods grown and processed according to the set standards and regulations can apply for organic certification. The application process is quite costly and time-consuming. Certified organic farms must present reports regarding the land use for both the past and the future. Stringent records must be kept and annual on-site inspections are carried out to ensure quality and authenticity.

The organic label can only be displayed by manufacturers or growers that have passed government certification. This protects consumers as well as producers by creating expectations for any product considered organic.

The main certification body in the UK is the Soil Association. In the US it is the USDA.

What is Organic Farming and Production?

Organic standards and regulations govern all aspects of organic production, including both crops and livestock. The key to successful organic production is to use as few non-renewable resources as possible whilst promoting healthful practices for wildlife, soil, water, and air.

Organic farming involves synthetic chemical-free growing techniques using organic seeds. Crops are farmed without irradiation or the use of genetic modification. Organic foods enjoy chemical-free processing as well, without artificial (synthetic) additives, preservatives, or other ingredients.

In addition to freedom from the use of hormones and antibiotics mentioned above, animals reared for organic food production enjoy open spaces, spacious shelter and an organic diet. Consequently meat and dairy are free of synthetic chemical residues.

Organic food is a new term for natural products that have been around for centuries. Recent advancements in the organic market have brought global attention to the benefits of an organic diet, proven by research, and the laws put in place by most governments ensure consumers are getting a true organic product.

Suzan K asked:


If every fruit or vegetable plant get infected by bugs and insects, from which we have a lot in our nature, how can people grow fruits and vegetables organically, without having those bugs on the plants?

Kyle

Erikc C asked:


I am trying to grow an organic garden, but I can find a variety of products here in El Paso, TX, can someone give me ideas of what products to buy and if there is website to get these products, I am growing fruits and vegetables.

Noah

I am a HEATHER asked:


I want to grow and organic garden, does anyone have any tips? W?eather, sun light, soil..?

Logan