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Organic Foods

Natural groceries that are free of GMOs, pesticides and artificial preservatives

500 Questions

What does the carrot look like?

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While planted, the carrot looks like a short stem with a few green leaves branching not off of, but out of it. After picking, the carrot looks like the former with the addition of a large orange root.

What standards should an Organic farmer meet?

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An 'Organic' farmer should meet very high standards to be labeled properly. From the product and seed he uses on the crop or feed he gives the livestock, to housing to proper disposal practices.

When starting a crop no Chemical pesticides should be used and ones that are used should be Organic approved by an overseeing association. The seeds should be a minimum of 3 generations from nonorganic practices and should not be a hybrid cross. Soil should be turned by hand with minimal disturbance to the ground to keep the CFC's from poluting the air, and should mostly be hand maintained and harvested.

With Livestock they should be pasture and free range fed for the best option and should avoid un-neccessary vaccinations or chemical exposures in their diets. If fed on a free range system that incorporates pasture rotation properly, they should have less of a need for dewormers and vaccines compared to other livestock. Their grain and hay should be organic as well and chemical and additive free.

With both though should be put into reusing any waste products like bags, storage containers and other items that can accumulate and an effort should be made to use recycleable material or items with a multiple purpose.

What criteria are used to classify organic food?

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Sira Organic farming aims to encourage sustainable farming, reduce pollution, promote animal welfare, and offer safe and healthy foods for consumption.

In order for vegetables to be certified as organic, the following conditions need to be met:

• The crops need to be grown without the use of pesticides or synthetic fertilizers.

• The soil in which the crops are grown should not have been treated with synthetic fertilizers or pesticides for a minimum of three years before harvest.

• The crops should not be modified genetically in any manner.

For meat products to be considered as 100% percent organic, the following requirements need to be met:

• The animals need to be free and uncaged, which means that they should be able to graze naturally without restrictions for at least 120 days out of the grazing season.

• The animals need to be bred without utilizing hormones and antibiotics.

• The animals should only be fed organic food.

What is a craisin?

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Blueberry craisin: dried blueberry is sold under the registered trademark of Ocean Spray. You could make your own dried blueberries by drying the blueberries in a food dehydrator. They would look a bit like raisins, but would be blue instead of black, and would taste more like blueberries than raisins. You can also buy dried blueberries, but the only time they would be called blueberry craisins would be under the Ocean Spray label.

Are organically grown foods really healthier than conventionally grown foods?

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My humble experience--the pesticides used on produce are generally harmless in regards to humans, ecspecially if you wash/peel them well. I've been VERY ill from organic produce. And yes, I traced back through several days worth of food to pinpoint the culprit (fortunately, I was logging everything). The pathogens contained in manure are killed by pesticides--not so with organic food, and with even vigorous scrubbing and peeling, I still contracted salmonella poisoning. I was rapidly losing fluids from both ends, shaking uncontrollably, falling over when I tried to stand, and unable to keep even water down. I ended up in the er. This is stuff that KILLS in third world countries. It was the worst I've ever felt in my life, and I've suffered broken bones, been thrown from horses, hit by a car, suffered alcohol withdrawal, and given birth.

Considering there is absolutely NO difference in taste or nutritional value, I'm going with a very emphatic 'NOOOO!!!' on this question, though I know the classist, organic/sustainable/whateverthefoodfadistoday elitists will cry 'Oh yes, for xyz fabricated reason!'

I've never once, in my life, been sick from inorganic food. The labelling and marketing for organic food is far too sketchy anyway. My recommendation? Go with what is most cost effective/tastes/feels best to YOU. On the internet, there is always someone willing to back up any stance, even if that stance is that Mother Theresa was an undercover nazi spreading propanda to the world's poverty stricken by whispering pig latin in their ears whilst they slept under her care.

Organically grown foods are generally healthier.

Typically yes, because chemical pesticides aren't used on them. Several pesticides are known to be harmful to humans, but in larger doses than the average consumer is exposed to. However, there is no government standard for "organic," and it's a loosely used term in the US. In much the same way "free range" means chicken aren't in a cage but may be squeezed together in a tiny shed, organic can often mean that less pesticide is used or simply a different kind of pesticide.

Answer

In Australia, and - I believe - New Zealand and the UK there are strict controls over what can be called organic, or - with eggs - free range (where the fowls are allowed to run loose and scavenge, as well as being carefully fed). At night they are usually confined to a roomy, closed barn to roost in order to keep them from predators.

Inspections of these farms are diligent and regular.

I typically use organic produce and free range eggs because I believe in supporting any efforts to avoid pesticides, or caging egg-laying fowls (and I feel better about the chickens!). Frequently I've been asked if the flavour or quality is better than conventionally produced foods, and to be perfectly honest I don't think there's much tangible difference, except in some types of meat.

It's a bit like using expensive salt when the same product is available for half the price - and I'm yet to hear someone say, Hey you've used cheap salt in this sauce!

However, I firmly consider children, from the time they begin solids, should be exposed to as few chemicals in food as possible; this also applies to the widespread habit of spraying chemicals around the home to clean surfaces, 'freshen' the air and so on.

We are seeing more and more cases of chemical allergies, and when children are exposed to various chemicals this can lead to later allergic reactions. And it can do no harm at if we all reduce our chemical intake wherever possible.

I grow some vegetables and herbs, and wouldn't dream of using pesticides on them. Instead I put out occasional snacks for local birds, who repay me by eating pests and, via their digestive systems, planting more food for us.

The fastest-selling eggs in our local supermarket are free range, and pesticide and other chemical-free produce are becoming hugely popular.

And the producers said it couldn't be done! These products have not been available sufficiently long for a proper study into the long-term health benefits, but I'd say better assume they are healthier.

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Cjonb 18:10, 2 Jun 2008 (UTC) I'd disagree. As "organic" has no defined meaning in Food Science (other than the indication that the compound in question contains a carbon atom), it's impossible to say if it's healthier or not. As to pesticides, the title "organic" implies but does not affirm that a food is pesticide free at all. Organic foods may also be thought to be preservative free. In not employing preservatives, one removes a generally harmless chemical and allows for an increase in decompostion, thus potentially rendering the food in question far more dangerous.

Of the sciences, I venture to say that food science is in many ways the toughest to apply in that the application is universal -- we all eat -- but the amount of scientific research is comparatively light (it's hard to get someone to fund a multi-year analysis of the composition of, say, brocolli) and the field abounds with variables (e.g. nutrient content in grown vegetables) and with non-specific terms (e.g. "organic").

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The term organic is very specific in those countries where this farming practice is policed diligently. Organicdefines foods grown without chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or hormones. There have been problems in countries where this definition is part of a stringent procedure which must be followed in order to be allowed to use the term in marketing, when neighbouring farmers' pest control products have spread to a nearby organic farm. Because produce is tested regularly, this can cause a farmer to lose their permit to use the term.

Check with your local food authority to discover how the regulations apply in your area.

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While it may be true that organic farming is regulated, it does not mean by any means that it makes it healthier. Just because a chemical is permitted for use in organic farming (for example: copper, sulfur, nicotine, cyanide) it does NOT mean it is better for consumption or for the environment. If someone says this, he is either lying, selling something or simply ignorant.

It is however true that by comparison today organic produce has FEWER pesticide residues but not nessecerily healthier residues!

As the consumer market is increasingly more aware of the use of pesticides and demanding its reduction, it is forcing many farmers to look for alternative methods, which is generally a good trend and may even result in healthier produce than organic farming. Although we are not quite there yet, we are heading in that direction.

For those of you into environmental issues, here's a little something to think about: If we were to gather and compost all the organic human waste in the world and spread it evenly over farmed areas, we would get less than a cubic meter of compost per dunam (1000 sqm) per year, while organic farming consumes 6-25 cubic meters of compost per dunam per year! One can easly see that in organic farming one needs 5-24 dunams of non-organic farming to give up their share of compost... not very sustainable now, is it?

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While organic farming may appear to be environmentally friendly one must first consider the full benefits of conventional farming using chemical fertilisers and pesticides.

The truth is that organic farming is far more costly, and produces less food and fibre per unit of land. Therefore if a significant proportion of farmers converted to growing crops organically we would need to utilise much greater areas of land and water resources to produce the same quantity of food. Resulting in the need to clear more native vegetation, divert more water from the environment and be forced to grow crops on marginal land.

The reality is that Earth would be unable to sustain its current population at current living standards without the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides.

In addition, many consumers when buying produce will often discard fruit with cosmetic damage caused by insects or other pests which may have no effect on the actual taste.

While there are clear disadvantages for pesticides there are also some advantages that many people do not realise. For example, farmers wishing to grow wheat can spray herbicides to kill weeds, etc. and then plant ("direct drill") into the dead stubble. Organic farming would require cultivation and ploughing the soil, which has significant disadvantages such as loss of moisture, rapid breakdown of organic matter, destruction of soil structure and increased fuel costs required for machinery operation.

It may be true that organically grown foods may be healthier than conventionally grown foods. There are many issues and problems with conventional agriculture; however, in most cases the benefits generally outweigh the disadvantages.

What are three advantages of organic food?

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Many of the biggest environmental problems are caused by standard agriculture practices. These involve spraying massive amounts of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, etc. These chemicals enter the environment, killing many native species, and destroying the delicate balance of microbes in the soil. Organic farming doesn't use these chemicals, so it doesn't poison the water and soil.

What is the difference between hydroponic and organic vegetables?

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i suppose you can grow organically with hydroponics but its mighty difficult.

normally hydroponics is considered the antithesis of organic farming

How long do eggs stay fresh without refrigeration?

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If the eggs in the nest are more than a week old, I just put them in water to see if they float in water. If they float, they're no good. If they start to turn upward like they want to float, you're taking chances. If they're dead still and don't float at all, then they're fresh.

How many organic farms are in America?

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Nine thousand one hundred forty (9,140) is the number of organic farms in America. That total reflects publication in October 2012 of the 2011 USDA Certified Organic Production Survey by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Does Walmart sell organic food?

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Yes Walmart does sell organic food but it is very hard to find.

The term 'organic food' refers to food that is grown according to certain standards. Production is based on the avoidance of toxic and long lasting pesticides and fertilizers. Food that is labeled "Certified Organic" must meet certain government imposed regulations.


You can read more about organic food at the link provided below.



Is there any standard by which a company can legally label their products organic?

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Upon inspection, organic foods should not contain any additives; genetically modified organisms; hormones; or residues from any artificial, commercial or synthetic 'cides, fertilizers or sprays.

How can you tell a carrot is rotten?

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Rotten ones will be mushy. slimy, and smell like a compost heap.

What are the benefits of Go Foods?

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"Go Foods" are foods that provides us with energy. Examples of this type of food group are bread, rice, corn, cereals, potato and other foods that primarily provides carbohydrates. These foods help us to do work, run, jump and play all day.

What is a person called who grows their own food?

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An apple tree grower

How many people use organic products?

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almost 99% of people have organic food

What are the standards of an organic farmer in the UK?

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Cultivation and production methods and resources are the guidelines that organic farms must meet. Organic farms have to be free of conventional farming-type inputs and outputs for three years before organic farming can begin. Nothing chemical, genetically engineered, off-site or synthetic may be present or used since inspections and paperwork will check for exclusively on-sire, organic inputs and outputs when organic farming operations begin.

What are ways that you can still produce enough food without the widespread use of pesticides and fertilizers?

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Pesticides are not necessary to produce enough food to meet the world's needs. Here are a few techniques that increase food output without chemicals.

  • Rotating pasture with herbivores that are frequently moved allows the soil to build nitrogen. Light hoof disturbance aerates the soil and spreads seeds. The manure left behind enhances the fertility of the soil.
  • Multi-speciated agriculture; multiple species of plant and animal are produced together or in succession to make better use of land and resources. This mimics symbiotic patterns seen in nature.
  • Vertical plant growing using vines and hanging pots allows for more efficient use of space and water.
  • Composting using dry plant material (carbon) and animal manure (unstable nitrogen) allows the manure to become stable and odor-free. The waste product becomes a valuable fertility source for a farm.
  • Introducing natural predators like ladybugs and mockingbirds to control bugs.
  • Sprinkling diatomaceous earth around plants. Although it feels silky soft to us, to bugs it is like broken glass. Use sparingly, as it can kill good bugs as well as bad ones.

For more information and in-depth explanations, I recommend reading Stockman Grass Farmer or any books by Joel Salatin.

What are the prices of organic and non organic milk?

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The price will vary depending on where you live and if you buy the milk directly from the farmer or at a grocery store. It also depends on the type of milk you are buying, whether that is cow's milk, goat's milk, almond milk, coconut milk, soy milk, etc.

Organic milk is more expensive than non-organic milk because there are far fewer organic dairies and organic farms in general than there are non-organic ones. .

What is famous about Luxembourg?

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victor Hugo lived there and they only had one olympic gold winner in Luxembourg named josy barthel

victor Hugo lived there and they only had one olympic gold winner in Luxembourg named josy barthel

Is organic junk food good for you?

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Organic junk food is really no different than conventional junk food. Organic junk food is lacking the chemicals, genetically modified organisms, pesticides, growth hormones, and other man made food additives that are found in traditional junk foods. Currently on the organic food market you can find potato chips, sodas, candies, cakes, cookies, dips, etc. all of which are considered "junk food".

How are pests controlled on organic farms?

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Sometimes they do not need to control them because the number of them stay down lower than farms that use fertilisers (and pesticides, incectisides ect) , this happens because the pests have less chance of surviving in non-organic farms so they breed more,and can become immune to the pesticide so they actually have more bugs. A way of stopping slugs is to put cracked eggshell around the object that you don't want harmed, this is a humane way to stop slugs because it deters them, rather than killing them. I hope this has been of some help to you

Can organic mulches be made from dried papaya leaves?

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The leaves make it difficult for new seedlings to grow. The leaves also have a lot of tannin in them. This might also effect growth.

The article attached has much more info on this subject.

Is there an article on organic vs bioengineered food?

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There is a ton of information about organic and bioengineered food on the Internet. It's not always in the form of articles that compare the two, though. Those who want to learn about the two will do well to start by doing a search for "organic and Bioengineered food." "organic food," "GMO food," or similar searches.