Why We Should Shop Organically

With Christmas just around the corner, now is a perfect time to source your veg for your Christmas Dinner, and where better to buy from than us! From avoiding harmful substances to taking a stance in sustainability, there are countless positives to why you should shop for organic foods, such as: 

It's Better For the Planet

Designed to protect nature and to enhance the health of soils, water and air, organic farming is leading the way on sustainability. In fact, if Europe's farmland all followed organic principles, agricultural emissions could drop by 40 to 50% by 2050, with plenty to feed the growing population healthy diets. Organic farmers are encouraged to 'close the loop' on their farms, making use of what's to hand and limiting the use of imported resources. This means -

No artificial fertilisers - Organic farming lowers the risk of environmental pollution and helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions by severely restricting the use of manufactured chemical fertilisers and pesticides, which come from burning fossil fuels. Instead, organic farmers must create fertile soils naturally, using compost and manure (often sourced from their own farm), and rotate their crops to keep soils healthy. 

Meat that's more environmentally friendly - Eating less and better meat from nature-friendly organic farms can offer a sustainable alternative that's better for the planet. Grazing animals have an important role to play in the 'closed loop' approach of organic farming, making use of what's to hand and limiting the use of imported resources:

• They reduce the need for chemical fertilisers 
• Well managed grazing cattle can also capture carbon, by improving fertility in soils and increasing grassland’s ability to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere
• Less imported animal feed: Unlike non-organic systems, organic farmers are not allowed to feed livestock on imported GM-feeds

Better for Nature and Wildlife

41% of Britain's wildlife species have declined since 1970, and more than 1 in 10 are currently facing extinction. Intensive farming practices, especially pesticide use, have been identified as the main driver of these declines, but organic farming offers an alternative. Organic farms are havens for wildlife and provide homes for bees, birds and butterflies. On average, plant, insect and bird life is 50% more abundant on organic farms, and there are around 75% more wild bees on organic farms. This is because:

• Organic farmers use fewer pesticides - And only under very restricted circumstances. Organic farmers rely on a whole ecosystem to keep pests under control, where animals like beetles and birds feed on pests such as aphids and slugs. If pesticides were substituted for more sustainable farming practices like organic, this could slow or reverse the decline in insects. 
• Land use on organic farms is more nature friendly - For every 10% increase in bee-friendly habitats, bee numbers and diversity increases by over a third. This is because organic farmers rely on healthy ecosystems to control pests and protect their soils, they tend to farm in a way that encourages wildlife, like planting trees, and wildflower margins, and digging ponds around their fields. This means organic farms are more ecologically diverse. 

Has Higher Welfare For Animals 

Ensuring all animals reared for meat and animal products have a good life is at the heart of Soil Association standards. Organic farming has the highest animal welfare standards of any international farming system - this means truly free range animals, encouraged to forage, graze and roam, with plenty of space, fresh air, and conditions that allow them to express their natural behaviours. Smaller flocks and herds, and more access to the outdoors means organic animals don't have to be routinely treated with antibiotics, and mutilations like beak-tipping to prevent the aggressive side effects of stress are also not needed, or allowed.

Shopping Organically With Us in December

This Christmas time, we have all the veg you could possibly imagine ready for your Christmas dinner, and of course, all organically sourced. By shopping organically, you are ensuring a healthier lifestyle, with mounting evidence showing that organic foods are rich in nutrients, such as vitamin C, iron, and magnesium, with less exposure to nitrates and pesticide residues in organically grown fruits, vegetables, and grains when compared to conventionally grown products. No artificial flavours, colours, or preservatives are allowed in organic food, so cleaner food means a cleaner diet, which leads to a cleaner bill of health. 

Our Luxury Bumper Veg and Mixed Fruit and Veg Boxes are now available to order this week, with the lead up to the big day, you have until December 19th to order for delivery on Thursday 23rd.

Emma Wallace

Sunderland College