🌽 Celebrating Organic September 🌾

As we reach the latter days of the month, we thought we’d draw your attention to Organic September. A month that celebrates everything organic…

According to the UK Organic website, ‘when we choose organic, we feel good as we know we’re giving ourselves and our families’ tasty food, beauty products and textiles produced to the highest standards, that are good for the planet.’🌏

What does organic mean?

So, DEFRA states, 'Organic food is the product of a farming system which avoids using man-made fertilisers, pesticides; growth regulators and livestock feed additives. Irradiation and the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) or products produced from or by GMOs are generally prohibited by organic legislation. Organic agriculture is a systems approach to production that works towards environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable production. Instead, the agricultural systems rely on crop rotation, animal and plant manures, some hand weeding and biological pest control’. 🚜

Essentially - organic means no additional bad stuff.

Why should consumers choose organic?

When you go organic, you make a choice that resonates well beyond your plate or wardrobe.

Supporting wildlife 🦋

Since 1970, 41% of Britain’s wildlife has declined, and 1 in 10 face extinction (State of Nature 2019, The State of Nature Partnership). Organic farms nurture wildlife and provide habitats for bees, birds, butterflies and other insects. By supporting organic growing, wildflower meadows and natural homes are looked after and the life within them can flourish.

Animal welfare 🐷

By supporting organic farming, you are supporting higher animal welfare standards including providing animals with free access to outdoor spaces and a better diet (GMO-free and more varied), which, in turn, improves overall health, reduces stress and promotes natural behaviour.

Reduced exposure to pesticides 🧪

Lower pesticide exposure has been associated with fewer health risks such as respiratory problems, skin irritation and potential long-term and life-threatening effects such as cancer.

What is the future of organic?

As consumers grow more conscious of their environmental footprint, the organic movement will continue to soar. We are looking at a future where organic farming combines with futuristic technology such as regenerative agriculture and AI-driven models to create eco-friendly, efficient and sustainable systems. 👩💻

We are now more health conscious as a nation - do we want to be putting lots of pesticides and additives into our systems? If we can go natural, we will do our best to - even for a larger price. Organic food and products tend to be dearer than non-organic goods and within a cost of living crisis, it poses the question: does organic need the higher price tag? Why? 💷

What brands are already championing organic?

Companies like Daylesford Organic and Planet Organic are already pioneers in the organic products industry - you only have to look at their websites to see the fantastic array of organic goods from crockery and ceramics to beauty and supplements - as well as food too!

We can also see businesses like Pukka Herbs, known for their organic teas, Neal's Yard Remedies for beauty products, and Abel & Cole, a leader in organic food delivery, setting standards for the industry. 🌟

With only a week until the Future of Food Competition, perhaps you have an ‘organic’ idea that you could pitch?

An idea that could revolutionise the food industry?

Enter the competition at www.futureoffood.org.uk - or register to attend today!