Organic refers to how agricultural products are grown and processed. Although regulations may vary from one country to another, the U.S. requires that organic crops are grown without synthetic pesticides or herbicides.
Organic livestock raised for meat, eggs, and dairy products must be kept in conditions that allow them to maintain their natural behavior (e.g., grazing on pasture) and fed organic feed. They cannot be given growth hormones or antibiotics.
Organic food has many benefits
Your mental and emotional well-being, as well as that of the environment, can be affected by how your food is raised. People with allergies to chemicals or foods may notice a decrease or disappearance of symptoms when organic foods are consumed. Organic foods can often contain more nutrients than conventionally grown foods.
Organic produce is less pesticide-laden. Pesticide residues can remain in the food we eat.
Organic food is fresher because it doesn’t have preservatives that make it last longer. Sometimes organic produce is produced in smaller farms closer to where it will be sold.
Organic agriculture tends to be more sustainable. It is better for the environment, birds, and animals that live near farms than for people.
Organically-raised animals are not given growth hormones or antibiotics. The use of antibiotics may also lead to antibiotic-resistant strains. Organically raised animals are more mobile and have access to the outdoors. This helps them stay healthy.
Organic meats and milk may contain more nutrients than conventionally raised meats and milk.
GMO-free organic food is available. GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms) and GE foods (Genetically Engineered Foods) are plants whose DNA was altered in ways that can’t be found in nature. This is most often done to produce a pesticide or to resist it.
Locally-grown food vs. organic food
Unlike organic standards, there is no standard for what “local food” means. It could be from your area, your state, or your country. It is possible to buy food at local markets, especially during large parts of the year.
Locally grown foods have many benefits
Financial Money stays in the local economy. Instead of going to marketing and distribution, more Money goes directly to farmers.
Transportation: The average distance a meal takes from the farm to your plate in the United States is more than 1,500 miles. Produce must first be picked when it is still young and then “ripened” by gassing after transportation. Foods are also highly processed in factories that use preservatives, radiation, and other methods to preserve them for transport.
