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Organic Food 101: Shopping Tips
Navigating the organic aisle at the grocery store can be confusing. Here's help.
If you're trying to make the switch from conventionally produced food to organic, you probably have some questions. Did these products come from organic farms? Are they healthier than non-organic foods? Here’s what you need to know about labeling, farms and grocery shopping for organic food.
Organic Labels 101
In order for farmers across the world to be certified as organic, they must follow strict guidelines that include:
- No use of synthetic fertilizers or pesticides
- No use of genetically engineered organisms
- No use of unsanitary feedlots for livestock.
- No use of contaminated or raw manure to fertilize soil
- No use of irradiation (using radiation to preserve food)
Several certification bodies exist in North America, Europe and Asia to ensure unified certification. Organic farms across Canada and the U.S. are inspected annually to ensure product is safe for supermarkets.
In Asia, there have been more efforts recently to introduce organic farming so that farmers are not relying on corporate pesticides for their livelihood.
Organic farming ensures that livestock are fed only organic feed and not antibiotics or hormones that may expose the animal to bacteria. So when you’re perusing eggs that say organic, it’s highly likely that these were free-range chickens that were able to have access to the outdoors. Organic agriculture works for a healthy balance of the soil, including using crop rotation and other techniques to improve soil fertility, instead of controlling the environment with chemicals. The animals are not fed food containing pesticides, and so the amount of persistent pesticides in their fat is reduced.
Looking for the right products does require attention to the details. Products may be labeled “100% Organic,” which means it contains more than 95 percent organic material, while other organic products with less than 95 percent will indicate that.
Budget Tips For Buying Organic
One of the common complaints when you’re searching for organic foods is the price, which is steeper than conventionally grown foods. Organic farmers use crop rotation, eco-friendly sprays and higher livestock maintenance, which increases production costs.
Your local farmers' market will likely have in-season produce at a lower price than your big-box or specialty grocery store. Buying organic animal products is better for your health, your local community, and the larger community as a whole.
Keep your eye out for weekly specials at your local supermarket or alternative food store. Stores like Costco stock certified organic meats and vegetables, so it’s always helpful to buy in bulk for the key products that you will eat quicker. Organic farms uses less energy with careful ecological management, and using natural ecological balances to solve pest problems. Buying animal products from local farms further reduces energy by reducing the amount of miles the food travels to your table.
You may find it difficult to buy your whole grocery list organic, but making small, sustainable changes over time is easy enough these days. Start with the products you eat the most of, and thin-skinned fruits like apples and bell peppers that likely absorb more pesticides.
Featured Image: marketatparkcity
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