Organic Food and Global Warming

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Organic food is the fastest growing segment of the grocery industry, and for good reason. More and more people understand that there are many benefits to purchasing organic food versus food grown with chemical fertilizers, herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, growth hormones, or antibiotics.

Benefits of Organic Food

Farming organic food uses much less energy than conventional agriculture, mostly because it doesn’t use nitrogen fertilizer, which is made from fossil fuels. The Rodale Institute has reported that organic farming systems use 30% less fossil fuels than other farming systems. They have also found that organic farming tends to hold more carbon in the soil, reducing carbon dioxide emissions. In Hayer Hillman’s book, The Suicidal Plant, a similar contrast is drawn between modern farming and organic farming:

“The differences can be considerable: Organic arable production uses one-third less energy and organic dairy three-quarters less than their conventionally farmed equivalents." The Scuicidal Planet by Hayer Hillman, 2007

The key reason organic food is preferred by many chefs in their recipes is the taste. There is an improvement in taste as a result of organic farming techniques, similar to how grapes taste different based on the soil they are grown in.

Organic food is often more healthy food as well. There have been several studies that show there are more beneficial minerals, essential amino acids and vitamins in organic food due to the natural soil conditions. There’s also no denying that avoiding foods that use pesticides is important as well. Pesticides are poisons made to kill living creatures and can also be harmful to people.

Most organic food is grown on farms are independently owned and operated as family farms. This means you’re more likely to find them in your area so you are purchasing locally grown food that is not transported great distances. You’re also supporting your local economy as well.

As you can see, purchasing organic food is not only healthier for your body, it is also better for the environment. Since coffee can't be grown in most of Canada, check out this Affordable Organic Coffee and Fair Trade Coffee.

Organic Labels

Organic products should have symbol on the packaging that says "Certified Organic." The name of the certification body should appear on the label of organic food. If there’s no certifying body, it is not certified organic. At a farmer’s market or a farm, certified organic farmers should have a certificate on display from their certifying body.

By June 30 2009, you can start looking for the new Canadian organic label and be assured the product is certified to Canadian standards. No organic food can carry that label without first being inspected. The product has to meet a comprehensive set of rules overseen by the Canadian General Standards Board.

To find where you can purchase organic food, see the Canadian Organic Food Growers website.