Organic Definitions

Organic
Organic produce is grown and handled without the use of synthetic chemicals, artificial fertilisers, food irradiation or genetically modified ingredients (GMOs). Organic farming focuses on the health of the soil and utilises the best of both traditional agriculture and modern techniques to produce nutritious fruits and vegetables with minimal intervention. Organic farming also cares for our environment through the use of renewable resources and a commitment to the conservation of energy, soil and water. Buying certified organic means that the produce has passed the stringent requirements of a 3-year certification process, ensuring integrity for the consumer.

Non-organic (or conventional)
Non-organic (often called 'conventional') produce is grown and handled with regular commercial methods which may include the use of synthetic chemicals, artificial fertilisers, food irradiation and genetically modified ingredients (GMOs).

Organic In Conversion
The full organic certification process for a farm takes three years. This length of time allows for soil regeneration using the earth's natural resources. After 12 months of using organic farming methods, the produce can be labelled organic in conversion. This means the farm has been audited at least once and is abiding by all necessary requirements. As a customer, your purchase of organic in conversion produce at a premium recognises the additional work and costs involved in the conversion process - so you are helping to invest in a sustainable future.

Other glossary terms (in alphabetical order)
Food additive. An artificial component of many conventional foods. Used in food to put back the taste that processing often removes, to prevent spoilage, extend shelf life and improve the texture, colour or flavour of foods. Up to 500 are allowed in conventional food, with only around 40 permitted for use in organic food manufacturing.

Antibiotic. Substance used to destroy or inhibit the growth of micro-organisms. Side effect in usage for livestock is that overuse of antibiotics is allowing bacteria to develop resistance, thereby potentially reducing the effectiveness of antibiotics used to treat serious human diseases.

Biodynamic. An enhanced form of organic farming involving cosmic forces and special preparations and composting methods.

Certification. Gaining of certifier approval after organic standard requirements have been met. It is typically a three year process.

Coeliac. A person with gluten intolerance.

Conventional. See Non-Organic Fertiliser Substance used to increase the fertility of soil. Fertilisers can be natural or artificial.

Free range. Free range products come from conventional livestock that are free to move over an area of open ground for part of their day. In many cases the livestock are not treated with antibiotics.

Fair trade. Fair trade is an equitable trade system for developing countries. It provides better trading conditions to, and securing the rights of marginalised producers and workers.

Gluten Plant. Protein found in cereal grains.

Genetic engineering. Radical technology allowing movement of genes between species.

It's all good!

"Good things come naturally......."

By now, we all know the importance of eating fresh fruits and vegetables every day in helping to support a long and healthy life. Here at the cafe, we also recognise the need to include a variety of colours in your fresh food diet, we allow our customers to enjoy colourful organics without compromising quality in the cost-effective way.

aha is proud to offer Kuching's most extensive range of organic and natural foods and environmentally friendly products. We are extremely excited to announce that aha has been working closely with our valued suppliers with the simple goal of making a healthy lifestyle more affordable for more 'Kuchingians'. Visit us today - and enjoy the real food.

Why is Organic better?

Organic food provides you with a clean, fresh, wholesome and environmentally friendly way of eating. Free of synthetic chemicals, pesticides, and genetically modified ingredients, there is no other way to go...

Organic food and products are better for you because:
No hormones
No pesticides
No toxic chemicals, antibiotics or fertilisers
No food additives
No mould retardants
No irradiation
are used in their production.

Organic food also:
Tastes and smells better
Contains significantly more nutrients and minerals
Encourages sustainable farming methods
Reduces negative impact on the environment
Requires stringent controls from paddock to plate
Unites and empowers rural communities.

Vision and Mission statement

Vision

Adding values n creating a greener Earth - creating awareness in sustainable living

Adding years into life - creating awareness in sustainable living, living life to the fullest with authenticity, passion, love n great Health.


Mission
1. Committed to empower the lives of men, women and families by providing our respected clients with the world's best customised eating plan http://www.adventuresweightloss.blogspot.com/ that allows them to go through a vibrant transformation - becoming more healthy, vitality, energetic n beautiful.

2. Choosing and gathering the food with highest quality and standard to the world.

3. Empowering lifes - through sharing sections, workshops and training program http://www.corevaluetraining.com/

4. Creating awareness in sustainable living - through sharing sections, workshops, gatherings, CD, DVD, etc.

How we show up?
The main intention of aha Organic is to serve the community with the best possible food, the world's best eating plan and supporting sustainability. We are engaged in sharing and supporting sustainable living and great eating habit and lifestyle with the community.

To serve, to do our best to providing people with, and enlightening people to, a healthier, cleaner way of eating and living. We also actively share with our communities on sustainable living and sustainability of our environment. @aha Organic, we passionately living our core values of empowerment and sharing http://www.corevaluetraining.com/. We learn, we grow, we share, we empower.........that's our passion, the art of living!

Who are we?

aha Organic is an organic grocery store cum organic cafe. We provide an extensive range of best quality products to our customers and at the same time sharing the important of preparing and cooking the food in a healthy way. We cater for the vegetarian and vegan customers, those seeking gluten free, kosher foods, people with food allergies and cancer sufferers as well as pregnant women and families with young children.

The cafe is created with the intention of sharing organic food & drinks with our customers who are busy with their life schedule, allowing others to experience organic cooking that is tasty & nutritious and affordable. At the cafe, we promote 'slow' fresh juices http://www.gerson.org/, vinegar bar, organic cereal drinks, floral tea and 'Oil free' stir-fry cooking.

aha Organic is located at a double storey old shophouse, renovated to suit organic lifestyle. Ground floor is the grocery store, it is lively, inviting and inclusive, designed to encourage and promote the organic way of life in all its aspects. First floor is decorated like home...........very cozy and relax, a high energy environment for customers to enjoy their health food & drinks, sharing with friends or use it as a mobile office as there's free WiFi available.

How we choose our products
We nurture strong and enduring relationships with organic growers and suppliers and we are taking a leadership role in the organic industry to ensure its continued growth.

a few words from our owner, Mio Ting...
"Our intention is to create value, sharing the organic lifestyle and healthy eating with the most people possible and supporting the sustainability of our environment. We believe the best way to fulfill our intention is to BECOME an example and inspiring others to do the same."

Why Choose Organic?

We all know that we are what we eat. When we eat organic, we are eating optimum food produced in the best conditions. Organic fruits and vegetables contain higher vitamins, minerals, enzymes and phytonutrients than the mass-produced variety and are also more intensely endowed with scent and colour. Organic meats are produced from animals that are treated humanely and reared on certified organic feeds and pastures. We also believe that they taste so much better!

Organic is healthy for the planet. Organic farming and production practices are designed to work in harmony with nature and the seasons. These practices are sustainable and independent of harmful chemicals, pesticides and fertilisers. Buying organic supports the future of our earth.

All authentic organic foods and products are certified. The certification label ensures that a stringent set of tests and standards have been met at every stage of the product's movement from the farm to the shelf. (If we don't have certified organic produce on offer, then we'll offer you the next best thing - as natural as possible).

The Biological Farmers of Australia (BFA), NASAA, ORGAA, USDA Organic are a few bodies permitted to certify organic produce. Organic foods are permitted to contain a maximum of 5% of uncertified ingredients from a restricted list, and those ingredients must be labelled on the product. Most organic processed foods such as soft drinks and dairy foods do not contain preservatives.

Organic foods and products typically cost more than their conventionally mass-produced, chemically farmed counterparts; that's because they represent the real cost of growing and producing at high quality. However, it is one of aha's intentions to, over time, make organic products more cost-effective to the consumer.