Boosting Soil Health and Farm Resilience Through Cover Crops and Hedgerows | Assawaga Farm

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Frequently Asked Questions

Which organic vegetables are the best?

Organic vegetables are the highest quality and healthiest food source. They are the best food on earth.

Organic produce is free from pesticides and herbicides. These chemicals pose grave risks for our health and the environment.

Organic produce is also richer in nutrients, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Organic produce is more nutritious and healthier.

Organic vegetables are delicious and safe to eat. Organic produce is free from known side effects.

All grocery stores can carry organic produce. Organic fruits and veggies can be purchased at any grocery store provided they comply with USDA guidelines.

What are the most popular organic products?

Today, organic food is the fastest growing industry. We've come far from our roots but there is still room for improvement.

Organic products are the future. They are safer, better for our environment, and more affordable for consumers.

But they tend to be more expensive. We created the Organic Food Index. We wanted to know which foods are popular today and whether trends are changing.

The results showed that organic food is increasing in popularity. The number of Americans shopping for organic food grew by nearly 50% between 2011 and 2012.

According to USDA, organic production grew by 10% last year. Currently, organic food accounts for 9% in the U.S. agricultural production.

While organic food is certainly gaining ground, it seems that it is still an expensive choice for consumers. According to the Organic Trade Association (OTA), average retail prices for organic food are almost double those of conventional alternatives.

That said, organic food is growing faster than any other segment of the food sector. If you look closely at the data, it will be apparent that organic food consumption has steadily increased since 2009.

According to OTA the volume of organic products sold at supermarkets grew by 14% in 2010 and 2011.

This is due to consumer demand for healthier food, which explains why organic foods sales are rising across all age groups.

The younger generation is however leading the charge for organic food. Millennials are twice more likely to purchase organic food than baby boomers. Young adults below 35 years of age account for 25%.

Is organic food good for you?

There are two types. Those we grow or those we get from someone else. Although there are exceptions to each category, most of the answers to your question are yes. Organic food is healthier as it doesn't contain any harmful chemicals or pesticides, herbicides and preservatives.

You can find organic food in supermarkets across North America, Europe, Asia, Latin America, and Africa. Most grocery stores now carry organic food, making it easier for consumers to choose organic products.

Organic food is better tasting and healthier because it contains more vitamins and minerals. Organics are often grown without pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. This means that they do not pollute the soil and water sources.

The USDA regulates organic farming practices. It requires that farmers follow strict guidelines in order to ensure organic produce is safe for consumption. There are over 30 million acres of US organic farmland.

Organic food is often cheaper than traditional food. For the same amount, consumers pay less. Organic farms don't have the expense of expensive chemical inputs, such as insecticides and/or fungicides. They can charge lower prices.

According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), organic food actually costs 10% less per pound. Switching to organic food is a smart move if you care about your health and that of your family.

Organic food has been a popular alternative for standard American diets. While many believe organic food can only come from specialty markets and fine dining restaurants, it is not true. Organic food is easily available in all regular grocery stores in the United States.

Organic food sales have increased significantly in recent years. The market value of organic food in the US was $43 billion in 2012, up from $21 billion in 2007.

Are organic foods better for us?

According to the Environmental Working Group, organic vegetables and fruits had half the amount of pesticides as non-organic. Organic apples had eight times less pesticides than nonorganic apples. However, organic strawberries had four times the amount of pesticides as their conventional counterparts.

Studies have also shown that organic foods reduce the risk of mercury and lead poisoning. A study concluded that children who ate organic meat had 33% lower levels of blood lead than those who didn’t. Another study concluded that pregnant women should avoid consuming conventional fish due to high levels of mercury.

Organic food seems to be safer than the non-organic. Experts recommend fresh vegetables and fruits whenever possible in order to reduce the risk of getting cancer.

What does it mean to be an organic food producer?

Organic food producers use organic methods to grow their products. These foods include fruits as well vegetables, grains and dairy products.

Organic food production happens on farms where crops have been naturally nurtured. This includes crop rotation, soil preparation, and pest control.

The USDA (United States Department of Agriculture), must set strict criteria for organic agricultural products.

These guidelines are designed to ensure consumers have access to safe, healthy and nutritious food.

Organic food offers many health benefits. From lower levels of pesticide residues, heavy metal contamination, to higher nutrient contents and better flavour, organic foods are healthier.

USDA certified organic products must bear the USDA Certified Organic label.

This certification means the product has met the standards of the National Organic Program.

Organic food can help us eat better and protect our environment.

Organic farming techniques conserve water and land. Organic farming techniques also help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions which contributes to climate change.

Organic agriculture uses fewer chemicals, and less pollution runoff.

This improves the air quality by reducing the likelihood of harmful gases like ammonia, nitrates and other pollutants building up in your atmosphere.

There are many types to organic farming.

Conventional farming refers to the use of synthetic inputs such as pesticides and fertilizers.

Regenerative farming is the use of compost, cover crops, or green manures to improve soil health. It promotes biodiversity.

Agroecology emphasizes sustainable relationships between people and plants.

Permaculture encourages self sufficiency by designing systems that mirror nature.

What are organic foods and how do they compare?

Organic produce is produced without synthetic fertilizers or pesticides. No growth hormones or animal testing are done. These crops can naturally grow, so no chemicals are used by farmers to combat pests or weeds.

Organic farming practices help maintain soil quality and reduce erosion. Organics have more nutrients than traditional food, which makes them better for our health. Organic products are more nutritious than conventionally grown foods and have lower calories and fiber.

Statistics

• Brands participating in this challenge are committed to using 100 percent sustainable cotton by 2025.[5] (en.wikipedia.org)
• When packaged products indicate they are “made with organic [specific ingredient or food group],” they contain at least 70% organically produced ingredients. (usda.gov)
• According to a study performed by consumerreports.org, organic products, compared to non-organic products, ranged anywhere from 13 percent cheaper to 303 percent more expensive. (en.wikipedia.org)
• As for organic meat, regulations require that animals be raised in living conditions that accommodate their natural behaviours (like the ability to graze on pasture), fed 100% organic feed and forage, and not administered antibiotics or hormones. (usda.gov)

External Links

[TAG17]

• The impact of organic food on human health: Assessment of the status quo, prospects for research - ScienceDirect


• Technical Note: Simultaneous vitamin and carotenoid analysis of milk from total mixed-ration-fed cows is optimized for xanthophyll detection. ScienceDirect

[TAG20]

• A Review of Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health: Cancer Risk and Occupational Pesticide Expositions: Part B: Vol 15, Number 4


• Genetically modified foods: safety, risks and public concerns--a review - Journal of Food Science and Technology

[TAG23]

• OTA


• In 2020, the U.S. organic sales reached a record high of almost $62 billion

[TAG26]

• USDA

How To

Five Reasons to Purchase Organic Products

Organic foods are free from pesticides and synthetic fertilisers. They do not contain genetically modified organisms (GMOs), or radioactive ingredients. Their production does not use sewage sludge and industrial solvents. During the growth process, food is kept clean from any contamination. It is free of preservatives as well as artificial additives. There is no use hormones or anti-biotics. They are also made in conditions that maintain their nutritional value and freshness for longer times.

1. Health benefits. Nonorganic produce is more chemically-laden than organic. This means it's less likely to cause allergies and sensitivities. It also means that you consume less toxic chemicals and carcinogens.
2. Eco-friendliness. Produce grown without synthetic fertilizer and pesticides requires very little water. Organic farms are often located far from areas with high levels of pollution because it takes so much energy for conventional agriculture to grow. This helps to reduce air pollution.
3. Sustainability. Organic farming relies on soil fertility rather than chemical fertilizers; this results in healthier soils with higher levels of organic matter. Farmers should rotate crops and let the land go bare periodically to improve soil health. Strong immune systems are developed when farm animals only eat grasses and grains that have not been treated with hormones or antibiotics.
4. Taste. Due to being picked at peak quality, vegetables and fruits are often bland. Organic produce is more rich and sweetened because it was harvested when it was still unripe.
5. Nutrition. GMOs are harmful chemicals found in many conventional processed foods. Stick to whole foods, including meat, eggs fish, nuts seeds, beans and fruit.

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