What's the big deal about Organic Food?

For the vast majority of human history, agriculture could be described as organic. Only during the 20th century was a large supply of new synthetic chemicals introduced to the food supply. This more recent style of production is referred to as 'conventional', though organic production has been the convention for a much longer period of time. Under organic production, the use of conventional non-organic pesticides, insecticides and herbicides is greatly restricted and saved as a last resort. However. Contrary to popular belief, certain non-organic fertilizers are still used. If livestock are involved,they must be reared without the antibiotic use of growth hormones, and generally fed a healthy diet. In most countries,organic products may not be genetically modified. It has been suggested that the application of nanotechnology to food and agriculture is a further technology that needs to be excluded from the certified organic food.

The History Of Organic Food
Historically, organic farms have been relatively small run family businesses, which is why organic food was once available in small stores or markets only. However, since the early 1990s organic food production has had a growth rate of around 20% a year, far ahead of the rest of the food industry, in both developed and developing nations. As of April 2008, organic food accounts for 1-2%of food sales worldwide.

Where can we get organic food?

Well, there are a lot of places, depending on where you live, but if you live in Kuching... you can definitely find a wide selection of food at AHA ORGANIC!

5 REASONS TO GO ORGANIC:

1.REDUCE THE TOXIC LOAD: KEEP CHEMICALS OUT OF THE AIR, WATER,SOIL AND OUR BODIES.
Buying organic food promotes a less toxic and healthier environment for all living things, including humans. Many living things are now exposed to a number of noxious agricultural chemicals. Supporting organic agriculture doesn't only help your family, but it also helps all of the families live less toxic lives.

2.REDUCE IF NOT ELIMINATE OFF FARM POLLUTION
Industrial agriculture not only pollutes farmland and farm workers; it also wreaks havoc on the environment downstream. Pesticide drifts affect non-farm communities with odorless and invisible poisons. Synthetic fertilizer drifting downstream is the main culprit for dead zones in delicate ocean environments, such as the Gulf of Mexico, where its dead zone is now larger than 22,000 square kilometers, an area larger than New Jersey, according to Science Magazine, August 2002.

3.PROTECT FUTURE GENERATION
before a mother first nurses her newborn, the toxic risk from pesticides has already begun. Studies show that hundreds of innocent infants are exposed to agricultural and industrial chemicals, whose safety was deemed on adult tolerance levels, not on children's. According to the national academy of Science, 'neurological and behavioral effects will show that pesticides can adversely affect the numerous systems, increase the risk of cancer and decrease fertility.

4. BUILD HEALTHY SOIL
Mono-cropping and chemical fertilizer dependency has taken a toll with a loss of top soil estimated at a cost of $4o billion per year in the U.S, according to David Pimental of Cornell University. Add to this an equally disturbing loss of micro nutrients and minerals in vegetables and fruits. Feeding ammonia and other synthetic fertilizers has proven to increase nutrients in produce, with higher levels of vitamins and minerals found in organic food, according to the 2005 study, 'Elevating Antioxidant levels in food through organic farming and food processing,' Organic Center State of Science revealed.

5.TASTES BETTER AND TRUER FLAVOUR
Comparing the taste of organic and non organic products, organic fruits and vegetables are more juicy and sweet. Genetically engineered agriculture may seem big and tasty, but the true flavor lies within organic products.

After all that, hope you are more aware of the reasons to go organic!