Eating organic is on the rise, as more and more consumers seek out healthier food choices! But you may be wondering: why go with certified organic? We've narrowed it down to fifteen great reasons that make choosing this eco-friendly option an easy decision. From safer ingredients to supporting small farmers, get ready to discover all the benefits of eating organically.
1. Enjoy Organic Foods Free From Pesticides
Did you know that when you eat organic, not only do your taste buds get to enjoy delicious natural flavors, but it's also an easy way of reducing the number of chemicals in your diet?
With organic food and local farming techniques being strictly regulated – including a reduced use of insecticides and weedkillers – opting for organic meals is definitely worth considering. Eating healthy doesn't have to be a chore. Organic food farming provides delicious and nutritious food without the use of harsh, synthetic pesticides that can become toxic over time.
Natural substances derived from plants are used instead in organic production - but double-check first! The National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) and National Organic Program (NOP) helpfully provide guidance on what's okay for farmers to use by maintaining an up-to-date list available for everyone! You're welcome :)
With organic foods, naturally occurring materials are generally preferred as part of the National List. However, certain synthetic substances must undergo third-party evaluation from organizations like OMRI to be approved for use in this type of agriculture. Ultimately these exceptions help keep essential organic standards intact without sacrificing quality or safety!
2. Avoid GMOs When You Eat Organic Foods
Eating organic is the key to avoiding genetically modified organisms and their potential contamination. Keeping in mind that USDA regulations prohibit all use of GMOs on an organic farm or during processing, from seed planting to soup production - making sure your food has been handled organically means you can enjoy it with peace of mind!
3. Eating Organic Food Is Better For Your Health
Adding organic foods to your diet has its advantages. Allowing only natural ingredients and fewer than 40 synthetic substances, certified organic food means you won't need to worry about unwanted chemicals or preservatives sneaking into what's on your plate. That can be reassuring for those looking out for their health – plus it tastes great too!
4. Organic Food is Grown In Healthier Soil
Organic food farming is the key to healthy and sustainable food production. By using natural organic fertilizers, cover crops like legumes, as well as animal manures with safety restrictions in place, farmers are able to create soil that boosts crop growth while being gentle on the environment around it.
The result? Crops better equipped to fight disease and survive harsh conditions - all of which leads us back full circle towards a healthier planet!
14. Eating Organic Foods Helps Protect Our Water Sources
Choosing organic food helps preserve our waterways and the health of aquatic life. Conventional farming introduces toxics into nearby streams, creeks, and lakes through runoff that carries fertilizers and pesticides.
This "nutrient pollution" creates algae blooms because excess nitrogen & phosphorous pollute the water with overgrowth of algae in a short period of time—consuming oxygen & blocking sunlight from underwater plants essential for survival – creating dead zones like the one found each summer in The Gulf Of Mexico caused by nutrients running down through Mississippi River - making it difficult to impossible for many species to thrive.
Organic food farmers have a unique approach to crop fertility: they use natural, organic soil amendments like manure and green mulch instead of relying solely on chemical fertilizers. This method not only saves money but also helps nurture the earth - these nutrient sources break down slowly into the soil and don't overextend themselves into our waterways!
Farmers can make their land healthier and more sustainable by implementing a variety of strategies. From setting up buffer zones to utilizing cover cropping, crop rotations, composting materials and manure as fertilizer—all popular techniques in organic agriculture—these methods help keep soils from washing away while also reducing nutrient stripping and nitrogen pollution.
Here at Mission Organic we create our menu with the most nutritious and healthy organic foods available to us. We want to continue to educate our community on the benefits of eating more organic foods. Come in today to try one of our delicious salads or super smoothies today.