Why Organic?

The answer to this question may seem complicated but to us here at Mr Organic there are 5 main reasons why we think organic is better. However, to put it simply:

Question: Why Organic?

Answer: It is better for you. It is better for the environment...and hence, better for you!

1. Organic farming is better for wildlife and promotes biodiversity.

Surely we have to preserve as much of the natural world around us not just because "it is pretty" or the "animals are cute" but because we depend on it for our survival. Other animals make it possible for us to grow our food. For example, bees in Britain are responsible for one-third of our diet through the work they do in polinating our crops. Unfortunately, the insecticides used in non-organic farming are killing them. No bees, no pollination, no food...oh, unless we fly it half way round the world. Not such a great idea.

2. Organic food contains more good nutrients and less bad "nutrients".

The 2009 FSA study concluded that organic food is no healthier and provides no significant benefit compared to conventionally produced food. An equally recent study by the French showed the opposite as have studies in the US. You can see why people are confused. Mr Organic believes that organic products do contain more nutrients...organic tomatoes certianly contain higher levels of anti oxidants and the anti cancer compound called lycopene.

Interestingly, one thing the FSA study did say was that that crops grown using non-organic farming techniques had significantly higher levels of nitrates in them. Big deal you may ask...well yes it is, because high levels of these compounds in your diet due to processed and preserved foods as well as fertiliser use, have recently been linked to increased deaths from diseases, including Alzheimer's, diabetes, and Parkinsons. Not so good!

3. Organic farming helps combat climate change and is sustainable.

Organic farming produces less CO2 than conventional farming methods. It is less reliant on the use of fossil fuels...ok the farmers still have to drive their tractors but they don't dump loads of fertilisers that are made from fossil fules on the fields. Imagine walking around the countryside and seeing oil and gas wells...that's basically what is happening except the oil and gas wells are in Russia, the Middle East far far away from our green and pleasant land.

4. Organic farming can feed the world.

Contrary to the general perception that organic produces lower yields, organic farming methods have actually been shown to be more productive in areas where environmental pressures are harsher. The Rodale Institute has loads of research on their websites and this view is supported by the United Nations Environment Programme and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCAD). They say in their report called Organic Agriculture and Food Security in Africa" that "feeding over 6 billion people - and over 9 billion by 2050 - will require a wide range of creative, sustainable agricultural systems which not only provide food, but also factor in the economic value of nature-based services such as forests, wetlands and soil organisms that underpin agriculture. Simply applying the "industrial" agricultural models of the twentieth century into the twenty-firts as a single, global solution will not serve us well". The same goes for GM. Why does the government waste so much money on research into GM when no one wants it and it won't help the problems that face us.

Let's face it...conventional farming practices have not worked in feeding the world. It has served to make those that can afford food, to waste it and grow obese. As Einstein said "Insanity is doing the same thing again and again and expecting different results." It's time to now do something different - join the organic revolution.

5. Organic is the real cost of food.

Food in the UK is incredibly cheap compared to the prices experienced by previous generations. It's not as cheap as in the USA, but look at what cheap food has done to them. Hold on...isn't the same thing happening to people over here now? In Europe they pay more for their food and don't have the same health problems due to over/bad eating as we have here and Uncle Sam has over the pond.

One of the main reasons why non-organic food is so cheap is that you are paying for them in your TAXES. Conventional agriculture is so heavily subsidised by the Government whilst organic farming gets none. So, the price you see for non-organic products on the shop shelf isn't the price you actually paying. To get a more in depth comentary on this click HERE to read a great article written by Ysanne Spevack from Organicfoodee.com.