Event - College of Agriculture Food and Environment

By Rose Swartz May 26, 2023 14 mins read 1667 Views

Elevating the everyday is our mission. At Belovedsaffron.com, we think the world deserves more than conventional cuisines — and more than take-out from chains. Our goal is to celebrate cultural flavours through spices, herbs and organic food from sustainable farming.

Saffron is our love affair; a culinary crescendo that evokes a warmth of its own. But cooking is so much more than a single ingredient — it’s also about respect. It’s about respecting people from different cultures who dedicate their lives to creating something extraordinary with every dish they serve; family meals or five-star restaurants alike.

And that’s why we’re inviting everyone to join us – to share their recipes, explore new flavors and be part of something special. We know everyone has something delicious to offer!

For now, love yourself and enjoy this one ...

Event - College of Agriculture Food and Environment

Frequently Asked Questions

What are organic fruits and vegetables?

Organic foods do not use pesticides, artificial fertilizers, hormones or antibiotics. They also contain more nutrients, such as vitamins A, C, E, and K, plus omega-3 fatty acids. These healthy ingredients make organic food better for our bodies and the planet.

Organic foods are grown using sustainable farming practices that preserve soil quality and encourage biological diversity. They are produced without harmful chemicals, irradiation, or sewage sludge.

Most people associate organics with fruits, but organic products also include dairy, meat and poultry, as well as baked goods, personal care items, pet food and household cleaning supplies.

The USDA defines organic as crops that are grown according to federal standards. Non-organic methods cannot be used by farmers to grow these foods. However, they can use approved natural methods to control pests, like crop rotation and cover crops, or animal feed made of organic materials.

Additionally, the farmer must adhere to guidelines concerning the amount of fertilizer and pesticide that he uses during the growing seasons and how he rotates his fields among various crops. GMOs, artificial growth hormones, synthetic pesticides and synthetic fertilizers are not allowed in the fields of farmers.

All the above requirements are met by vegetables and fruits that are labeled "100% Organic". But some farms do not label their products as 100% organic because it would confuse consumers. Instead, they will label the product as "made from organic ingredients". "

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 soil preparation, pest controls, and crop rotation.

For an agricultural product to be considered organic, it must meet strict criteria set out by the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture).

These guidelines make it possible for consumers to have safe, healthy, and delicious food.

Organic foods offer many health benefits. They are free from heavy metal contamination and pesticide residues. They also have higher nutritional content and better taste.

Products certified organic by the USDA must bear the label "USDA Certified Organic" seal.

This certification signifies that the product meets all standards set by the National Organic Program.

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

Organic farming techniques preserve water and land. In addition, organic methods reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which cause climate change.

Organic agriculture is more sustainable and uses less chemicals.

Because of this, harmful gases such as ammonia and even nitrates will not build up in the air.

There are many types of organic farming, including conventional, regenerative, agroecological, and permaculture.

Conventional agriculture refers to the use synthetic inputs, such as pesticides/fertilizers.

Regenerative farming uses compost, cover crops, green manures, and other methods to improve the soil's health. It also encourages biodiversity.

Agroecology focuses on sustainable relationships between people, plants, and animals.

Permaculture promotes self sufficiency through the creation of systems that imitate nature.

What is an inorganic food?

Organic food is not produced with pesticides or artificial fertilizers. These chemicals may be harmful to your health and can also be found in non-organic foods.

Organic food can be grown without chemical fertilizers, pesticides herbicides, fungicides, and other harmful substances. These chemicals can cause harm to animals and humans.

Inorganic food is meat, fish, eggs and dairy products, including butter, yogurts honey, yogurts, butter, cream, cheese, butter, yogurts, honey and grains.

Organic refers the way an agricultural product grows. Organic farming is based on natural methods, soil amendments, and crop growth. Conventional farming uses pesticides, fertilizers, and chemicals.

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), must ensure that organic food meets strict standards. The National Organic Program Standards state that organic food must be freed from banned substances like antibiotics, growthhormones, genetically altered organisms (GMOs) and industrial solvents. Organic food must not be produced with toxic chemicals, petroleum or sewage sludges or ionizing radioactive substances.

What are organic foods and how do they compare?

Organic produce is grown without pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, irradiation, genetic engineering, or confinement feeding. There is no use of growth hormones and no animal testing. These crops are allowed to grow naturally, so farmers do not use chemicals to prevent weeds or pests.

Organic farming practices also maintain soil quality by reducing erosion and conserving water resources. Organics contain more nutrients than regular food and are therefore better for our overall health. Organic foods are often higher in fiber, lower in fat, and less calories than those produced conventionally.

Are organic foods healthier?

The Environmental Working Group's most recent report on pesticide residues found in food shows that organic fruits and veggies had almost half the pesticide content of non-organic. They found that organic apples contained eight times fewer pesticides than non-organic apples, while organic strawberries were four times cleaner than their conventional counterparts.

Other studies suggest that eating organic food reduces exposure to toxic metals like lead and mercury. For instance, one study showed that children who consumed organic meat had 33% less blood lead levels than children who did not. A second study found that conventional fish should be avoided by pregnant women due to the high levels of mercury.

Organic food seems to be safer than the non-organic. Experts recommend that you choose fresh fruits and vegetables whenever possible to lower your chance of developing cancer or other diseases.

What is organic meat?

Organic meat refers to real food grown without the use artificial fertilizers, pesticides, or hormones. Organic meat also indicates that animals were not fed genetically modified food. It is safe to eat because it doesn't contain any harmful chemicals.

Organic meats are also better for our environment. When we eat organic foods, we reduce the pollution in landfills, rivers, lakes, etc. Organic farmers generally don't use toxic chemicals that kill birds and insects. We help to protect wildlife.

Locally purchasing organic meats is the best way to make sure you are eating healthy and organic meats. Local shopping helps keep more money in your community than it does out of state. Local businesses often pass along savings to customers when shopping locally. Local businesses are more likely to keep jobs here than export them abroad.

Statistics

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)
Popular clothing brands, like Patagonia, are labelled as organic by using 100 percent organic cotton for many of their styles. (en.wikipedia.org)
Nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids were up to 50 percent higher in organic meats and milk than in conventionally raised products.[3] (en.wikipedia.org)
Brands participating in this challenge are committed to using 100 percent sustainable cotton by 2025.[5] (en.wikipedia.org)

External Links

How To

Organic foods are healthier and more nutritious.

Organic foods are produced without the use of chemical pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. They are grown in natural environments without artificial inputs (fungicides/herbicides/hormones, antibiotics or genetic engineering). Organic farming practices include crop rotation and cover crops, the composting of animal manure, the recycling of wastewater, as well as integrated pest management (IPM).

The USDA National Organic Program (NOP) was established in 2002 to regulate the production, handling, processing, labelling, sale, and distribution of organic products sold in the United States. NOP regulations assure that organic agricultural products comply with the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Furthermore, the NOP rules require organic products to be free of banned substances such as pesticides residues and growth hormones.

Two types of certification programs are available in the United States for producers who wish to have their products labeled organic. One is for farmers and ranchers; one is for manufacturers. Both programs require audits of operations each year to ensure that they are meeting strict standards. These services are offered by several certifying agencies, including CCOF Certified Organic Farmers & Ranchers and Quality Assurance International. Each of these organizations provides third-party verification to verify that farms are following strict guidelines in regards to environmental stewardship, labour practices and care for livestock.

According to the USDA's Economic Research Service, organic agriculture accounted for $4.7 billion in sales in 2013. The retail spending on organic products accounted for nearly $1.5 billion in 2013, a 23 percent increase over 2009. Sales at grocery stores were up 12 percent during this period. Spending on organic produce was up 29 percent, but only 1 percent on meat, seafood, eggs, and dairy.

Although organic food can be more expensive than regular food, many consumers feel that its quality is well worth the additional cost. Consumer Reports conducted a 2015 survey and found that 88% would pay more if organic food had better nutritional value. A Health Affairs study also found that organic food consumers are less likely to develop health problems such as diabetes, cancer, obesity, heart disease, depression, and other diseases.

There is no evidence to suggest eating organic foods can treat or prevent any diseases. However, some studies have suggested that they might be beneficial for your health as they may reduce your exposure of pesticides and contaminants. In 2010, a review that included 31 studies concluded that organically-raised beef had lower levels of parasites and toxic chemicals than conventionally reared beef. A separate analysis of 11 publications from 2012 produced similar results.

The Environmental Working Group released a report in 2014 that analyzed data from USDA's Agricultural Marketing Resource Center. They found that there was a decrease in foodborne illness due to E.coli, salmonella, listeria moncytogenes or campylobacter. The group also observed that E.coliO157 is a less prevalent cause of illness in humans among children than adults. This was because the USDA has imposed stricter organic standards on animals raised for human consumption.