When to Choose Organic Food

Many people do not know the full benefits of choosing certified, organically grown food. I should clarify that we should not necessarily be striving to eat organic food all the time.

It is very difficult and expensive to have a 100% organic diet, especially when trying to eat locally as much as possible.

We recommend avoiding non-organic produce that tends to be most sprayed and prioritizing your organic shopping list with this in mind. For more info go to Food News.

I’d add animal products to your list of priority organic foods (or animal products that are free-range/grass-fed, non-medicated) as they are higher on the ‘food chain’ and bio-accumulate more toxicity during its lifetime. Also they are more likely to contain antibiotics, hormones, and beyond. My husband and I have become ‘part-time vegetarians’ for economical and environmental reasons.

Organic Farming:

• Doesn’t use synthetic pesticides, herbicides, fungicide, fertilisers or anything chemical. Also no GMO’s. Nothing synthetic or unnatural used in the growing of the food.
• Promotes biodiversity by planting several varieties of the same plant as well as heirloom (old, nearly lost) varieties.
• Uses natural pest and weed management,
• Focuses on building soil and nurturing beneficial bacteria, fungi, earthworms found within. Bacteria decompose plant material, making the nutrients (minerals) available for roots. Fungi fight off soil pathogens and earthworms aerate the soil (and these are just a few of their tasks).
• Supports biodiversity of crops, as well as poly-cropping
• Encourages crop rotation so as not to deplete soil of a particular nutrient
• Recycles substances back into the land e.g. plant and food stuffs composted into soil
• Encourages beneficial insects by planting flowers
• Plans for the long term and farming sustainably

Not all local farmers can afford organic certification but still grow great food, with honour and integrity. Supporting farmer’s markets is a great way to get much of your food straight from the farmer. So, always ask to know the source and growing methods of your food as much as possible.

To find a farmer’s market in BC: Eat Local
For the US: Local Harvest