‘Organic food is the product of a farming system which avoids the use of man-made fertilisers, pesticides; growth regulators and livestock feed additives. Irradiation and the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) or products produced from or by GMOs are generally prohibited by organic legislation.
Organic agriculture is a systems approach to production that is working towards environmentally, socially and economically sustainable production. Instead, the agricultural systems rely on crop rotation, animal and plant manures, some hand weeding and biological pest control’.
All of us want to eat as healthy as possible, but the advertising industry has been deliberately and un-ethically using the word “Natural” to describe foods that are a fry cry from what the word suggests, What then does Organic truly mean??
That system of agriculture which uses only natural methods of production, is what can be legally classified as organic. The goal of such type of farming is to learn from and mimic natural processes in order to produce the crops. This method also allows our farmers to be better stewards of the land. Organic farmers forego the use of synthetic petro-chemical fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides and weed killers in favor of more environmentally benign inputs and techniques. Organic agriculture combines both old and new ideas and practices to produce healthy, tasty, nutrition-rich crops. It is based on minimal use of artificial or chemical inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain and enhance the ecological balance of nature.
Organic is a labeling term that is required by law to be true to legal ascribed practices. Any food to be termed as organic must fulfill certain criteria as far as it's cultivation is concerned. Each country/state has their own set of rules which must be followed by farmers before their crops can be termed as organic.
Organic food handlers, processors and retailers are certified and inspected in accordance with standards that maintain the integrity of organic agricultural products. The primary goal of organic agriculture is to optimize the health and productivity of interdependent communities of soil life, plants, animals and people. It is this standard that uphelds the value of organic foods.
The FDA has considered the term "natural" to mean that nothing artificial or synthetic (including all color additives regardless of source) has been included in, or has been added to, a food that would not normally be expected to be in that food.
In addition, a natural food product must also be labeled with a statement explaining the meaning of the term "natural," such as "no added coloring," "no artificial ingredients" or "minimally processed."
However, since that definition is arguably vague and does not address food processing or manufacturing methods, there is a continuous ongoing debate on whether this term is appropriate at all on a food. The common consensus is that it leaves too much room for interpretation and misinterpretation and that food manufacturing companies can and do misuse the term.
Tusconomy will always endeavor to enhance the consumer's understanding of the development process, to protect the public welfare and to preserve the public’s confidence and trust in its profession.
Healthy food works in an intricate, complex way with not only our bodies, but also with our culture, ceremony, traditions, family, and societal structures. It is a daily partner in everyday life, taking care of us as we take care of it.
Healthy food means access for everyone to a diverse selection of nutritious foods that are sustainably grown, harvested and minimally processed close to home. Healthy food nourishes our bodies, cultures, communities, animals, soil, and environment.
Almost all packaged food products in the grocery store are required to follow FDA (Food and Drug Administration) nutrition labeling regulations. These regulations include a specific definition for the term “healthy.” Any food labeled as “healthy” must meet criteria for fat, saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium, and contain beneficial nutrients.
With consumers getting increasingly aware about health and foods, they want data about what exactly they are buying and eating. Keeping up with the crazy advertisements, latest fads,l number of labels, nutrient claims, and competing scientific studies about what is and is not good for us is a daunting task.
But is there anything more important than feeding your family wholesome, nourishing food? That’s one reason why the organic movement continues to grow, and why we’ve fought so hard to develop and enforce legal standards about what is and isn’t organic. We all want to have peace of mind about what is in our food, how it is grown, and hopefully to leave our planet and our farmlands healthier and our bodies happier.
The widespread belief is that organic farming methods simply do not use synthetic pesticides. And while that is true, it is not the complete picture, Organic agriculture is a way of working with natural processes to solve some of the problems that all farmers face, from weed control to pest control, from increasing soil fertility to managing plant diseases, from too much rain to not enough. Organic farming is striking a balance between the inconsistencies of nature with the convenience of modernity.
Organic growers strive to achieve a balance between beneficial insects such as bees, ladybugs, and wasps and those that are destructive to crops. Organic farming allows for these beneficial insect populations to co-exist and help cultivation while keeping the negative impacts of the pests to tolerable levels. Providing habitat for these beneficial creatures helps limit the population of the pests which can cause damage and destruction to crops helps maintain the bio-diversity of the land.
The simple mantra of organic farming is this : feed the soil and healthy crops will follow. Compost production is most important strategy to build biologically active soil communities. These in turn support healthy root structures that allow plants to develop to their fullest potential. Other natural enhancements, including ground rock powders (such as dolomite limestone), seaweed, bone meal and cover crops are also used to add nutrients and trace minerals. These additions make the soil able to grow and sustain a healthy yield.
Organic farmers take pride in growing the varieties most suitable for their regional micro-climate, soil type, and growing season length (also importance is given to flavor and personal preference). Before the crop is planted, factors such as environmental suitability and the natural disease resistance of a particular crop or variety are evaluated by the farmer. so as to eliminate any potential problems before they get a chance to start.
There is little doubt that farmers are intimately connected to their land, and over the years develop a wealth of knowledge and experience to draw on to develop new (and sometimes to rediscover old) solutions to the many challenges which confront farmers everywhere. Besides with the world getting increasingly smaller due to sharing of information via the web, some of the most productive farms in the world are flourishing using 100% organic techniques. Thus a little bit of ingenuity and hardwork can definitely go a long way in going "organic".
Organic farming is that branch of natural cultivation that effectively and efficiently manages resources to bring about the best way in the process as well as the product.
Studies have found chemical residues in many of the foods we currently consume, the long-term health effects of which are highly suspect. While organic is not a “residue-free” claim, it has been demonstrated that by eating organically produced fruits and vegetables, consumers can reduce their exposure to potentially harmful chemicals, thus lowering chances of chronic ailments.
There are studies that say that organic foods are more flavourful and also taste better.
Indeed, many organic farmers focus their efforts on growing varieties that are unique and flavorful, instead of durable and uniform. Many splendidly flavored heirloom varieties that conventional agriculture deemed not economically viable have been preserved by organic growers and consumers are definitely buying these organic variety over the standard available for the masses.
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