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Understanding organic produce

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Photo Credit: savoieleysse

When debating whether to choose organic food on your next weekly shop, it’s a good idea to understand what organic actually means and whether it’s worth paying the higher price tag that comes along with it. The underlying reason why you would choose organic over other non-organic food in a store is because it has been produced without the assistance of GMOs or Genetically Modified Organism. Organic produce has only been subject to natural farming procedures and has avoided being treated with any synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers.

Beneficial Nutrients

Some people believe that organic foods contain more beneficial nutrients than those that have been conventionally grown and are, therefore, happier to pay a premium price, but if synthetic processes are avoided in this process then it is often confusing to understand why the cost is so much higher. Firstly, some organic produce supplies cannot keep up with the level of demand which immediately increases the price, but there are also a lot of additional labor costs when it comes to organic food, which will need to be covered in order to make a profit.

Consider Your Lifestyle

When weighing up whether organic produce is something you should choose to consume, it’s wise to consider your lifestyle and values before you make the change. In most cases, eating organic food is just not feasible because household budgets are already at a stretch and so adding a few pennies onto the weekly shop just will not work. You may want to include just a handful of organic foods to see whether they do taste any better and whether you prefer to eat produce that has not absorbed any synthetic pesticides at all.

If you’re environmentally conscious, it could be the best option to take as there are many indicators to show that shopping organic will have a positive impact on the earth. Organic farming systems tend to work with nature and not against it, avoid intestine agricultural techniques that can cause a whole host of imbalances to our ecosystem. Soil erosion can be slightly higher with non-organic produce, and the use of water is generally higher. If you can find a local organic farm shop that supplies produce with very little food miles, it will definitely be having a lower impact on the world.

Includes Drinks Too

You don’t have to stop at fresh fruit, vegetables, and meat when considering organic produce as there are many other food and drink alternatives to try. Dry farm wine comes from vineyards with sustainable practices and causes the vines to travel further underground to gain sufficient nutrients. Organic herbs and botanical plants can also end up in your bathroom products so be sure to read the label if you’ve decided this is the route you want to take.

Regardless of how little or how much you want to invest in organic produce, there has never been a better time to focus on where and how your produce is sourced. It’s always better to shop for quality over quantity, and this ethos can also help if you’re struggling to fund an organic way of life.

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