In 2008, U.S. sales of organic food and nonfood products reached $24.6 billion dollars which was 17.1 percent above the 2007 sales (Musico). Obviously, people are buying organic food for many reasons such as its advantageous economical impact, its positive, eco-friendly contributions to the environment, and its health and nutritional benefits.
Organic farming methods avoid the use of these chemicals and rely on natural method to control crops (“Farming, Organics”). Examples of these methods are crop rotation, which consists of planting different crops every year and disrupts the life cycle of pests and provides a natural fertilizer (“Farming, Organics”). Organic farmers also use natural fertilizers such as sulfur and interplanting methods that alternate crops in the field, which discourages pests to live there (“Farming, Organics”).
Over the last few years, awareness of organic food has risen. Due to this, the demand for organic food is a factor which is influencing the farmers to switch to use this technique, and it is being sold in specialty stores and conventional supermarkets. Organic products contain numerous marketing claims that it is healthier, it offers more value, and the farming is more environmentally friendly than traditional foods, so, how does one determine if organic is the way to go? Some argue that there is evidence that supports and demonstrates why organic foods and farming are better overall, while others insist that conventional foods and agriculture can offer the same benefits as going organic. There is no right or wrong answer. Within this
Organic farming is farming without the use of growth hormones or genetically altering the growth of the food. Organic farming is a great alternative to the way the meat industry is ran now. Many large corporations, like Stonyfield Farm, are broadening the horizons on organic foods. Organic foods may take longer to produce, but it will be a very good exchange for health over time. Without the food being genetically altered, it will be rid of the nasty E. coli which has stricken the nation so often. Stonyfield Farms are even getting places like Wal-Mart to carry organic foods in their stores, which is a big step, Wal-Mart is thought of as one of the low grocery places, somewhere that the cheap people get their food. But, with this new movement, it could change the face of organic food, and the way we think of supermarkets. Organic farming is a step the industry must take to improve health
Organic farming is becoming an increasingly popular market throughout the world. (Adam, 2004, p. 666). The aims of organic farming are, to decrease pollution, maintain soil fertility and biodiversity, be more sustainable, and have increased nutritional benefits than conventionally grown foods (Yaping et. al., 2003, p. 298). While the aim of conventional farming is to provide safe, proficient supplies of food, in abundance and at low prices (Trewavas, 2001, p.409). Since 1996, the amount of land in the UK dedicated to organic farming has risen tenfold (Adam, 2004, p. 666). As well, from 1992 to 1997, the amount of certified organic cropland in the US more than doubled (Tafel et al, 2007, p.182 ). The main difference between organic and
Personally, I am fortunate to live in an area that has a fairly wide array of organic foods. There is a healthy mix of large supermarkets and small, independent grocers that sell organic foods.
In order for farmers to label their products as USDA Organic they must adhere to the strict standards outlined in the organic certification program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The article, “Organic foods: Are they safer? More nutritious?” explains that these standards include how food is “grown, handled and processed”. Rather then using pesticides, organic farmers use methods such as beneficial insects and microorganisms and special disease resistant crop selection to protect their crops. They may use crop rotation and mulch to manage weeds. They do not use or include food additives, fortifying agents or preservatives in their products.
It is farming without chemicals, using the land in a way that it can be used again thus providing for the future, and producing food with more nutrients. Foods have more nutrients and the soil is replenished with nutrients as well. This documentary highlights organic farming and some of the daily chores involved in small organic farming to show viewers a little bit about what it takes to own an organic farm. While farming, Ryan Oickie askes the families why they are organic farmers. Thus, viewers hear more arguments on why organic farming is better. The opening sequence gets the attention of the viewers; shows them how they do not know what is in the food they eat or how it is made. It shares facts and images to scare the consumer into thinking the non-organic food is harmful to them and cruel to the animals being eaten. Then the documentary shows the alternative, local farmers markets, and organic small farms with a list of organizations that support local organic
Mitchum, Michelle is an American journalist and author, she writes, reports for news channels and a filmmaker. She states in Organic food, that for the past two decades the consumption of organic food has radically changed, by twenty-five billion dollars from 1996 to 2016. This accumulative grow is a result of people briefs' that organic food free pesticides, chemical and grown in good arable, are healthier form nutrition and health wise than controversially grown food. The subject separates like deadly disease and brings attention to competent health authorities and forced development, processing of conventionally grown foods to be aware of their next move, then the public starts questioning themselves the effect of consuming food that's been grown in an increasing profit method. There are enough researches to prove
The value of animal welfare is one of the significant reasons why organic farming is different from conventional farming. According to the USDA, the organic livestock requirements state that all livestock must be given year-round access to the outdoors, unless specific conditions occur. Livestock raised on organic farms should have room for exercise, clean drinking water, direct sunlight, fresh dry bedding, shelter and shade
Congratulations! You have just won a trip to Earth in the year 2050, when Scientific American writers Michael Moyer and Carina Storrs predict that the world will be in dire need of resources. Buildings are crumbling, and more people are becoming cold and hungry by the hour. Cows have been extinct since 2030, and oil and coal have been wiped from the people’s memory. A skinny man glances at you from a crowd with a sad look in his eyes, and you can see the hunger within him. You wish that you could give all of these people something to eat, but your tour guide just keeps walking along like he sees the same image all the time. This time traveling vacation is just a glimpse of what the future could be, however, the field of synthetic biology could
The clear conclusions drawn from numerous studies targeting organic food are that organic food does not equal safe food, does not have clear nutritional advantage and does not have reduced level of naturally occurring toxins over conventional plants or livestock (80, 81). Fertilization enriches soils and provides nutrients in food, regardless of it being organic or chemical fertilizer. Risk of exposure to microbial contamination is not lower in organic food (82). Level of naturally occurring toxins such as aflatoxins in peanuts and grains, solanine in green parts of potatoes, goitrogens in some raw vegetables, and other poisons in mushrooms and herbs is not affected by the method of growing (81). Pesticides usages are monitored and will not pose harm to health when applied in regulated manner. However, the amount of pesticides residue is usually lower in organic food (82). One observational study and one systematic review found no protective value of organic food over eczema or atopy diseases (83, 84). Hence the claims being made over benefits of organic food can be concluded as misleading at best, and there is a pressing need for proper public education on this issue
The National Organic Standards Boards defines organic agriculture is ìan ecological production management system that promotes and enhances biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. It is based on minimal use of off-farm inputs and on management practices that restore, maintain and enhance ecological harmony. The primary goal of organic
According to the USDA, organic foods consist of foods and products that are grown without the use of sewage sludge, harmful pesticides, and fertilizers made from synthetic ingredients. These standards and guidelines were implemented with the overall objective of improving the quality of the food supply while also preserving the environment. The Organic Foods Act (OFPA) “authorized a new USDA National Organic Program (NOP) to set national standards for the production, handling, and processing of organically grown agricultural products. In addition, the Program oversees mandatory certification of organic production.” (Gold “Organic Production/Organic Food:”) When these standards are upheld, consumers are given the opportunity to educate themselves on the contents found in their food, which
The word Organic can be defined in multiple ways but what the word basically means that the product is derived from living matter. Organic farming produces organic food. The goal is to encourage soil and water conservation, reduce pollution, and constrain conventional methods to fertilize and control weeds. According to the U.S Food and Drug Administration “The term "organic" is not defined by law or regulations FDA enforces.”