Organic Food - can we believe the hype?

Organic food can be seen from several perspectives, including human health and environmental impact. It is not just about using fewer pesticides and animal drugs - it is about keeping soil and ecosystems healthy by rotating crops, maintaining biodiversity and encourage a respect for seasonal changes in crop availability.

For me, it is also about the distances traveled by food. Big supermarkets have jumped on the organic bandwagon providing organics all year round, but I’d rather have a potato from Blighty than a carrot from Italy. It’s hard to judge food miles but check out the market stalls, some of which sell local produce. Organic foods contain none of the harmful additives that may contribute to heart disease and osteoporosis and other health problems. It produces fewer greenhouse gases.

In my mind, organic food really does taste better. Realistically, most students cannot afford to eat purely organically but I find no great holes put in my budget by spending a few extra pence on organic apples (the market prices tend to be lower than supermarkets anyway)…you can choose organic, free-range eggs and try local butchers for some real good meat. It’s about testing out options, buying ethically where you can, giving some thought to the journey your food has made.

British people seem obsessed with keeping the price of their shopping basket down, whilst splurging on clothes, holidays and glossy books for see-through coffee tables, but food is one of the most important things of all, it’s what you put inside you and is worth spending a little thought and cash on!

www.organicfood.co.uk has more information.