Know your Facts. Organic Food vs Conventional Food

This is so important!!

Conventionally grown produce generally costs less, but organic food is safer and more nutritious! Get the facts before you shop!!!

People seem to have a concern with the seemingly "high" cost of Organic food.
There is a direct correlation with quality and cost.

People always pay more for better clothes, better shoes, better furniture, better experiences, better cars and yet don't want to pay more for better food.

That makes no sense.

Organic foods typically cost more, due in part to more expensive farming practices.

Because organic fruits and vegetables aren't treated with waxes or preservatives, they may spoil faster. Conventional growers use pesticides to protect their crops from molds, insects and diseases. When farmers spray pesticides, this can leave residue on produce. 

I don't know about you, but I prefer not to eat pesticide residue and wax. I prefer to eat Organic food as we were intended.

Here are some basic facts.

The word "organic" refers to the way farmers grow and process agricultural products, such as fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy products and meat.

Organic farming is designed to encourage soil and water conservation and reduce pollution. Farmers who grow organic produce and meat don't use conventional methods to fertilize, control weeds or prevent livestock disease.

For example, rather than using chemical weedkillers, organic farmers may conduct more sophisticated crop rotations and spread mulch or manure to keep weeds at bay.

Here are some key differences between conventional farming and organic farming:

Conventional	Organic
Apply chemical fertilizers to promote plant growth.	Apply natural fertilizers, such as manure or compost, to feed soil and plants.
Spray insecticides to reduce pests and disease.	Use beneficial insects and birds, mating disruption or traps to reduce pests and disease.
Use herbicides to manage weeds.	Rotate crops, till, hand weed or mulch to manage weeds.
Give animals antibiotics, growth hormones and medications to prevent disease and spur growth.	Give animals organic feed and allow them access to the outdoors. Use preventive measures — such as rotational grazing, a balanced diet and clean housing — to help minimize disease.

So if any of this is making sense then the choice should be clear right? Well some people still are not sure how to tell if things are Organic or not in the store.

Check the label to see if its Organic.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has established an organic certification program that requires all organic foods to meet strict government standards. These standards regulate how such foods are grown, handled and processed.

Any product labeled as organic must be USDA certified. Only producers who sell less than $5,000 a year in organic foods are exempt from this certification; however, they're still required to follow the USDA's standards for organic foods.

If a food bears a USDA Organic label, it means it's produced and processed according to the USDA standards. The seal is voluntary, but many organic producers use it.

Products that are completely organic — such as fruits, vegetables, eggs or other single-ingredient foods — are labeled 100 percent organic and can carry the USDA seal.
Foods that have more than one ingredient, such as breakfast cereal, can use the USDA organic seal plus the following wording, depending on the number of organic ingredients:

• 100 percent organic. To use this phrase, products must be either completely organic or made of all organic ingredients.

Eating healthy Organic food provides more nutrients to your body.  When your body is getting more nutrients it's healthier. You have fewer colds and fewer health problems.  When your body is healthier you quality of life is better.
Eat foods that are in season, they are are freshest. When you are eating the freshest fruits and vegetables you get the maximum amount of nutrients.

Organic food has so much more nutrition in it than Conventional food.
Organic food tastes better, it's better for the environment and it's better for your body.

Nourish your bodies and your minds properly.
Support your local Organic Farmers Markets and Eat Organic! xx

The Model Vegan