Would you like to be a part of the largest annual celebration of organic food, farming, and products this fall? Organic Week is taking place Sept.19-27 all across the country.
Presented by the Canadian Health Food Association (CHFA), the Canadian Organic Growers (COG), and the Canada Organic Trade Association (COTA), this week-long celebration is the time to learn about the importance of organic food. To mark this occasion, CHFA has identified the top five reasons to go organic now and all year long, as follows:
1. Cut back on chemicals — Many herbicides and insecticides used in agriculture have been found to be hormone disruptors, have a negative impact on children’s development, and cause various other health concerns. Choosing certified organic products reduces your exposure to chemical residues.
2. Organic farmers work with nature — Organic agriculture builds healthy ecosystems, and organic farms have higher biodiversity, which promotes sustainability and ecological balance.
3. Organic methods reduce pollution and wasted energy— More energy is used to make synthetic fossil fuel-based fertilizers than to cultivate and harvest crops or to transport food. Canadian studies have shown that organic farming practices can use as little as half the energy of conventional farming methods, and help to put carbon back into the soil.
4. Organic farms take water seriously — Organic farmers manage the land and life around rivers and lakes very carefully, and are inspected every year. By not using synthetic fertilizers and persistent toxic chemicals, organic farming is also easier on our precious water reserves.
5. Organic producers strive to preserve genetic diversity — The loss of a large variety of species (biodiversity) is one of the most important environmental concerns of our day. The good news is that many organic farmers have been collecting and preserving seeds, and growing heirloom varieties and raising rare breeds of livestock for many years.
Organic products meet strict national standards and the “Canada Organic” logo tells you that products have been grown and handled according to procedures and regulations. Organic is also the only non-GMO standard overseen by the Canadian government. Organic standards forbid the use of GMOs in seeds, in animal feed and in the ingredients of processed organic food and products.
Healthy food buffs like to say, “Think before you eat: think Canada Organic.” More information is available online at chfa.ca.
