Organic food
Organic foods appear to be gaining a lot of attention these days. This is due mainly to the growing awareness surrounding the environmental damage that intensive farming causes.
Choosing organic food and drink is an important way to reduce environmental damage.
So, what is organic?
Organic farming uses specific management practices that take care of the environment and its soils. Synthetic chemicals (including pesticides and fertilizers) are not permitted.
Benefits of organic agriculture
- Improved soil biology that helps increase biodiversity
- Less chemical usage
- More sustainable based on ecological principles of diversification
- Low external input
- Conservation of resources
- More biodiversity
- Water conservation
How conventional agriculture harms our environment
Damage soil structure due to:
- excessive cultivation
- use of heavy machinery
- overgrazing of livestock
- heavy use of agriculture chemicals
These leads to:
- reduced plant growth
- contamination of the surrounding plant and animal populations and water systems
Did you know?
Industrial food production produces an abundance of relatively inexpensive food; however, this comes at a substantial cost to the environment.
A study of the sustainability of apple production systems showed that in comparing a conventional farming system to an organic method of farming, the organic system is more energy efficient.
Pesticides used in conventional farming methods not only have health impacts for the consumer, evidence has shown that farm workers exposed to pesticides have an increased risk of health problems such as respiratory problems, memory disorders, dermatologic conditions, cancer, depression, neurologic deficits, miscarrages and birth defects.
Organic farming approaches tend to prioritise animal welfare more than conventional methods.
Buying organic food can reduce your food related carbon footprint by around 15%.
How to choose organic products
- Consider organic alternatives for food and drinks items you already purchase
- Ask questions of your food retailers and manufacturers regarding the availability of organic varieties of food you are buying
- Become familiar with Australian accredited organic certifiers, distributors and producers
- Investigate how your can produce organic fruit and vegetables in your own home garden.
List of Australian Quarantine Inspection Service (AQIS) organic approved certifying organisations
Where to buy them?
Here a few examples..
Brisbane
- Northey Street Organic Markets run every Sunday morning from 6.00-10:30am, so go early to ensure the widest selection of fresh organic produce!
Sunshine Coast
- Kookaburra Organics is an home delivery service where 80% of the fresh produce is grown locally. Boxes are delivered to the Sunshine Coast and North of Brisbane to Bribie Island and Caboolture.
Gold Coast
- Gold Coast Organic Market – Located at Miami State High School at Miami is held every Sunday from 6:00am to 11:30 am. The market provides an extensive range of freshly picked organic fruit and vegetables, as well as organic cakes and biscuits; dairy products, including yoghurts, cheeses, cream, butter and milk; coffee; pork products; breads and pastries (Sol Breads); skin care and cosmetics; and tea and herbal blends.
- Gold Coast Certified Organic Co-op Farmer's Market is situated at Mudgeeraba Farmer's Market at the Mudgeeraba Showgrounds and inside the Marina Mirage Farmer's Market. The market operates 2nd and 4rd Saturdays from 6:00am to 11:00 am at the Mudgeeraba Showgrounds, and on the 1st 3rd and 5th Saturday from 7:00am to 12:00pm in the Marina Mirage.
For a more detailed list on where to buy organic products go to: http://organicbrisbane.com/publ/4