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The consumption of organic products has increased significantly
in Canada during the last decade. Society's increasing devotion
to health and longevity, in conjunction with recent food health
scares, have allowed the organic industry to become part of
the agri-food mainstream. In addition to being sold at farmers
markets and small retail outlets, most major retailers currently
offer a variety of organic food products. Despite the growth
in availability and consumption of organic products, many
consumers remain confused about organic products and their
potential benefits. This page is devoted to explaining what
is meant by the words "organic foods", and tries
to explain why many consumers are choosing these foods over
conventionaly produced products.
"Organic Food" can be broadly defined as food that
is produced without the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides,
and genetically modifed organisms (GMO's). Organic production
systems focus on ecological diversity, biological systems,
the replenishment of soil organic matter, and overall environmental
stewardship. Organic foods are minimally processed, are not
irradiated, and typically contain few artificial preservatives.
For these reasons, they are viewed as healthier by organic
consumers. A more comprehensive list of reasons why organic
food might be consumed is presented below.
Reasons for the consumption of organic foods
1) Health - Many people eat organic food
because they believe the absence of synthetic pesticides,
fertilizers, GMOs, and articficial preservatives in production
and processing makes it more healthy to consume.
2) Environmental Reasons - The absence of
synthetic inputs can reduce the chance of air, soil, and water
contamination, all of which have been linked with intensive
conventional farm practices. In addition organic production
attempts to utilize biological systems that are more characterisitic
of natural ecosystems, which are often perceived to be more
sustainable. Some consumers will choose to purchase organic
products exclusively for the purpose of supporting environmental
sustainability.
3) Animal Treatment - The organic standards
employed by most organic production systems emphasize the
humane treatment of animals. It is believed that stress will
weaken the immune system of animals and thus make them more
susceptible to disease. In conventional systems, this can
make animals more dependent on antiobotics, which can lead
to anitbiotic resistant diseases that are often more difficult
to treat. It is also believed by advocates of organic agriculture
that the quality of products dervied from an animal is directly
correlated to that animals health.
4) Soil Sustainability - Organic farmers
are required to undertake practices aimed at maintaining or
improving soil fertility (e.g green manure crops). Conventional
farming typically focuses on maximizing crop yield and less
so on maintaining fertility. As a result, the fertility of
topsoil will decrease over time. By choosing to eat organic
foods, many consumers believe that they are supporting the
long-term sustainability of soil, and hence, food production.
5) Regional Economic Development - The increase
in conventional farm size is believed to have contributed
to the decline of the rural economy in Western Canada. Organic
agricultural practices tend to favour small-scale family farms
as opposed to large-scale capital intensive farms. By choosing
to eat organic foods, many consumers believe they are indirectly
promoting development of the rural economy.
Other Consumer Information
Organic
Consumers Association - This website contains a variety
of consumer information, including a series of scientific
articles about the potential nutritional benefits of organic
food.
Organic
Trade Association Consumer Page - This page provides facts
about the profile of organic consumers.
Organic
Consumers Share Values, Not Demographics - An article
about the characteristics of organic consumers.
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