Local Markets BOON to Organic Farmers| Kumuda JP

By Rose Swartz March 24, 2023 15 mins read 770 Views

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Local Markets BOON to Organic Farmers| Kumuda JP

Frequently Asked Questions

Are organic foods good for your health?

Although organic foods are not for everyone, they can be very healthy. However, regular consumption of organic foods can have health benefits.

Organic food is free from artificial fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides as well as hormones, antibiotics and genetic engineering. Organic produce is not grown with harmful chemicals that could pose a risk to human health.

Also, there are fewer additives that are used in processing. Organic products are healthier than those that use additives during processing.

Studies have shown organic foods have more nutrients and antioxidants that conventionally grown fruits, vegetables.

While organic farming is more expensive than traditional farming, it often produces better results. When farmers grow crops organically, they encourage soil fertility and biodiversity.

This helps conserve water resources and protects against erosion. Organic farms require less fuel and energy because they don't contain toxic chemicals.

People worry that organic foods will be more expensive than those made from conventional food. However, prices will vary depending on where one lives. Organic apples, on the other hand, tend to be more expensive that conventional apples.

But, if we look at the total cost of a combination of both types and fruits, we'll see organic is much cheaper.

Do you really need to buy organic?

It depends on you. If organic food doesn't appeal to you, you shouldn't bother.

Organic food can be purchased if you like good-tasting food. Organic foods are safer than conventional food because they don't contain chemical pesticides or fertilizers.

Organic agriculture is a way to preserve the environment, conserve natural resources, and encourage biodiversity.

Organic foods are better for us.

According to the Environmental Working Group's recent report on pesticide residues within foods, organic fruits & vegetables contained nearly half of the pesticides that non-organic varieties. Organic strawberries contained four times more pesticides that their conventional counterparts, and organic apples contained eight percent less.

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. Another study concluded traditional fish should not be consumed by pregnant women, due to high mercury levels.

Organic food appears to be more safe than non-organic. Experts recommend that fresh produce and vegetables be used whenever possible to reduce your chances of developing cancer.

Why should I buy organic?

Many health issues have been linked to conventional agriculture, including obesity, diabetes and cancer. Healthy choices must be made when purchasing food.

The Environmental Working Group has the following tips for choosing "cleaner" food.

Buy organic fruits and vegetables whenever possible.

USDA organic labels for meat, poultry eggs, milk and cheese as well butter and honey are recommended.

Avoid processed foods labeled as "natural" or "no additives."

Be sure to read all ingredient labels. It is possible to add an ingredient during processing if it isn't already listed.

Fresh meats are better than canned or frozen. Foods that are frozen or canned often have less nutritionally-rich ingredients, such as high fructosecorn syrup.

Why is organic produce important?

For our health, organic produce is crucial. Organic produce is the best way to eat healthy foods. It's not only better for us but also it's more sustainable as it doesn't rely upon pesticides and fertilers.

Organic farming is a natural method of growing crops that uses no harmful chemicals. Organic farming is safer for animals and humans because it produces fewer pollutants. Organic food is a way to help the environment and protect yourself.

But organic food offers more than just health benefits. We are all well aware of how harmful processed food can make our bodies feel. But did you know that most organic fruits and vegetables aren't treated with chemical spray either? It means that organic fruits and vegetables taste better, last longer, and are brighter.

Organic food is so important. It's healthy for you and the planet.

How can you tell if food is organic?

Ask any chef and he will tell you that fresh ingredients are the most important thing. It's because we feel better when food is well-prepared.

The same is true of our food. We know where our organic food came from and how it has been grown. It was not treated with harmful chemicals.

Organic foods are made without the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, hormones, steroids, antibiotics, or genetically altered organisms (GMO). Organic farmers aren't allowed to use these substances.

But that doesn't mean there isn't an art to growing organic crops. There are many ways to safely grow organic crops.

Organic farming is often called sustainable agriculture. It is a less resource-intensive alternative to conventional farming, but still provides enough nutrients to sustain life.

Organic farming practices include crop rotations and cover crops, manure composting, intercropping, and cover cropping. These techniques reduce soil erosion and increase water quality.

They reduce chemical runoff from waterways. Since most of us live in urban areas, we can find local farms that raise organic produce.

Two types of certification programs are available for organic products. The USDA National Organic Program certifies the one while the independent certifying agency certifies the other. Both require strict compliance with organic standards.

USDA seals and O Seals are symbols that indicate organic certification.

What are some of the benefits of organic agriculture?

Organic farming allows farmers to produce food using only natural methods. Farmers do not need to worry about harmful pesticides harming their crops or animals.

Organic farming allows for natural fertilizers to be used. These fertilizers promote healthy plants and decrease the amount of chemicals used.

Organic farming is also sustainable. For example, organic farming uses composting techniques to re-use nutrients in the soil. This helps to reduce pollution and conserve valuable resources.

As well as helping the environment, organic farming increases crop yields. This is because organic agriculture uses less water in the growing season.

Organic production methods mean farmers can get higher prices. People who are more conscious of the dangers of chemical fertilizers and pesticides will eat healthier food.

This leads to a greater demand for organic food products. Organic farming is gaining popularity because of these reasons.

How can you tell if your produce is organic?

These are the labels you should look for to ensure you are purchasing organic produce

USDA Organic Certified: Produces certified by USDA as 100% organic.

Certified Naturally Grown is produce that has met strict organic requirements but not yet been certified by the USDA.

Pastured/Free Range - Produce from animals who live outdoors and graze freely on grass and herbs.

These labels signify that the product meets a specific set of criteria.

No synthetic pesticides and fertilizers
No genetically modified organisms
The animal is never given antibiotics
Animals are never given hormones.
No growth-promoting drugs
No feed additives
No artificial ingredients
No irradiation
There is no sewage sludge
GMOs banned
Antibiotics have never been administered
No hormones ever given
No growth-promoting medications
No feed-additives
No artificial ingredients
No sewage sludge, if it's not a GMO
No irradiation

I hope this article was helpful!

Statistics

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)
Once certified by the USDA, it can fall into one of four categories: "100 percent organic", "organic," "made with organic ingredients," or "made with less than 70 percent organic ingredients. (en.wikipedia.org)
Cosmetic brands such as Laurel and Rose Mira are 100 percent organic and have a wide array of skincare products. (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 organic foods healthier?

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

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

The United States offers two certification programs for producers that want their products to be certified organic: one for farmers, ranchers and the other for manufacturers. Both programs require audits of operations each year to ensure that they are meeting strict standards. Several certifying agents offer these services, including CCOF Certified Organic Farmers & Ranchers, Quality Assurance International, and the American Grassfed Association. All three organizations provide third-party verification of farms' adherence to strict guidelines regarding environmental stewardship, labour practices, and livestock care.

The USDA's Economic Research Service estimates that organic agriculture was responsible for $4.7 billion of 2013 sales. Retail spending on certified organic products reached nearly $1.5 Billion in 2013. This is a 23 per cent increase from 2009. This period saw a 12 percent increase in grocery store sales. Spending on organic produce was up 29 percent, but only 1 percent on meat, seafood, eggs, and dairy.

Organic food is more expensive, but consumers believe its quality is worth the extra cost. Consumer Reports conducted a 2015 survey and found that 88% would pay more if organic food had better nutritional value. Health Affairs also reported that organic food intake is associated with fewer health problems, such as obesity, diabetes and heart disease.

Although there is no evidence eating organic foods prevents or treats any diseases, some studies suggest that consuming them might improve overall health by reducing exposure to specific contaminants and pesticides. One example is the conclusion reached by a review of 31 studies, published in 2010, that organically reared beef was significantly less toxic than conventionally-raised beef. Similar results were also reached by a separate analysis of 11 2012 studies.

A 2014 report from the Environmental Working Group looked at data from the Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Resource Center and found that the incidence of foodborne illness caused by E. coli, salmonella, listeria monocytogenes, campylobacter, and verotoxin-producing E. coli O157:H7 decreased when comparing organic to non-organic chicken, pork, beef, lamb, milk, and cheese. After 2006, when USDA required stricter organic standards in animal raising for human consumption, the group noted that E.coli O157 was less common among children and adults.