Organic is the buzz word of the moment and everything from granny smith apples to tinned kidney beans to chicken breast fillets to cabernet sauvignon to body wash to tampons to cotton socks has an organic tag on it.
What does ‘organic’ really mean anyway? (For anyone who remembers their grade 8 chemistry, ‘organic’ in a produce context refers to much more than the presence of carbon.)
According to Australian Organic, “organic produce is grown and processed without the use of synthetic chemicals, fertilisers, or GMOs with a focus on environmentally sustainable practices. Organic food is not just chemical-free. Organic farmers take a holistic approach to food production and handling, and the whole system is linked – Soil. Plants. Animals. Food. People. Environment. Health.”
As the term ‘organic’ is banded around by many companies to sell their wares, a savvy consumer will look for the term ‘certified organic’ to confirm that their produce is exactly that. This is an excellent guide to understanding certified organic produce (e.g. food, clothing and cosmetics).
The downside of organic produce is that it can be more expensive than regular produce. This lovely little guide (above) was produced to let you know which foods are the most pesticide heavy and so are best bought from organic producers. It also lets you know which foods you can purchase from regular suppliers if price or availability is a factor in your buying decision.
But, when in doubt, choose organic. It’s good for you, the farmers and your planet.
I’ve always loved Food Connect as a community supported agriculture (CSA) supplier of in-season organic fruit, vegetables and a wide range of other delicious produce. Food Connect operates throughout South East Queensland and Sydney.
For further information on Chinese Medicine contact Dr Sarah George (Acupuncture). Sarah is a practitioner of acupuncture (AHPRA registered), massage therapy and natural health at her Broadbeach clinic and is the Chinese Medicine Senior Lecturer at the Endeavour College of Natural Health Gold Coast campus.
