Fruit and vegetables most importantly form the basis of nutrition. The stark truth is that what we eat on our plates as far as fruit and vegetables are concerned, may not be as nutritious as we think.
Modern farming uses artificial fertilisers and pesticides, to encourage plant growth; but it also robs the soil of its nutrients without replacing them. The fertilisers and pesticides the farmers use, contain phosphates, nitrogen and potassium that stick to the minerals in the soil.
And with over-farming, this can add to the problems of food being produced, in terms of their complement of nutrients. Also, because of extended storage time, nutrients can vary depending on the produce, so it's always an advantage to buy local seasoned produce that can be consumed quickly.
Why choose organic?
Organic produce is likely to contain more vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that can help keep us healthier for longer, although organic food is more expensive and in less demand, because it's more costly to produce. Although farmers know organic food is better for us, they seem reluctant to produce it, because they already know how expensive it is.
Foods that have been processed and manufactured, also rob our food of vitamins. In the refining process, rice, flour and sugar loses just over 75% of chromium, zinc and manganese. Other nutrients such as essential fats are not used in this process because they decrease shelf life.
It is better to eat organic where you can and while it’s more expensive, the benefits outweigh the costs. Buying non-organic produce like bananas or oranges, probably doesn’t matter as much as tomatoes or any fruit or vegetables that you don’t peel before eating.
When it comes to organic produce, peace of mind for many is a consideration.
I definitely agree with what you're saying. So many chemicals and pesticides are put into fruit and vegetables these days. When we have something that hasn't been laden with chemicals, I believe we can taste the difference.
Larissa, it's great hearing from you. Thank you for posting on the site. You are totally right in what you say, I too can taste the difference in organic food to non-organic food.
Very insightful...
Thanks Colleen. I hope you found the information useful.
It is true that organics cost more but that's because the farmer can't stock as many animals on their farms as the grass/crops won't be as productive and grow slower.
True that nitrogen comes from the animals faeces and their urine produces urea, another natural product that the farmer can purchase from the abattoirs. It's in the process in breaking down these animals' natural bi-products that they feed on intestinal worms into their gut and the farmer by law, has to drench their stock to kill all tape worms and other nasty bugs otherwise we, the consumer will get extremely sick... farmers here in NZ are now using more liquid seaweed as a completely organic form of nitrogen to spray their crops as it's even better than phosphates, as phosphate rock is a non renewable resource and getting more expensive to buy.
Like you Ilana, I to believe organic foods are far better for us and have far more flavour, more than some non organic, vegetables; fruits and meats but it's supply and demand that will make organic produce less expensive.
Its like our cell-phones, as twenty years ago they were heaps more expensive and less features to use... The same will happen to our foods with more people asking for organic products in our supermarkets, we just need to ask for them.
Taking your comments one step further we, Wilma and I are now buying whole foods... milk straight from the cow and eggs from farmers as well as vegetables from the roadside stalls that are all organically grown and not from supermarkets, its all up to us.
Good information. I think also that if people organic it will encourage more production and may even decrease the cost.
My aunt and her family always have a huge garden every summer. Some of the stuff is taken to the local farmers market and sold and the rest is used for family.
It is nice to have home grown and you really can taste the difference.
Lisa it will encourage more production and decrease the cost, but consumers need to buy more organic foods for this to happen!