Smarterhaus

The benefits of organic food are now well recognized with research findings that confirm that organic foods have far higher nutrient, vitamin and mineral content, as well as not having harmful pesticides, herbicides, fungicides and artificial fertilizer chemicals that are present in non-organic products. Organic food is especially higher in vitamin C, antioxidants, iron, phosphorus, calcium, and magnesium. Organic agriculture enhances soil structures, conserves water, mitigates climate change, and ensures sustained biodiversity. Through its holistic nature, organic farming integrates wild biodiversity, agro-biodiversity and soil conservation, and takes low-intensity farming one step further by eliminating the use of chemical use.

The general public is increasingly becoming aware of the benefits, as evidenced by the growth of the organic industry in Australia and around the world. Australia is following a boom that is transforming the way people eat all over the world. This includes the rising popularity in consumers eating more local food. The local food movement is a “collaborative effort to build more locally based, self-reliant food economies – one in which sustainable food production, processing, distribution, and consumption is integrated to enhance the economic, environmental and social health of a particular place” and is considered to be a part of the broader sustainability movement. It is part of the concept of local purchasing and local economies, a preference to buy locally produced goods and services.

Local food systems are an alternative to the global corporate models where producers and consumers are separated through a chain of processors/manufacturers, shippers and retailers. As the food industry grows, the ‘middle man’ is increasingly able to control the quality of food. Conversely, the local food system redevelops these relationships and encourages a return of quality control to the consumer and the producer respectively. These quality characteristics are not only in the product but in the method of producing. By reducing distance between the processes environmental, economic and social costs are reduced. The shorter the distance between the processes the greater the connectedness between all people in the food system.

Check out www.organicfooddirectory.com.au for great information on organic food and local food communities.

www.farmersmarkets.org.au will help you find a farmers market near you.