Whether it’s buying a box of detergent that lasts through more loads of laundry or a car that gets better gas mileage, the pummeled economy has us all looking for products that provide more bang for the buck.
So why pay more for local, sustainable and organically grown foods?
Many agree they just taste better and emerging scientific consensus supports the fact these foods, including fruits, vegetables and grains are often more nutritious. So bite for bite, they deliver a higher concentration of vitamins, minerals and other healthy nutrients.
While there isn’t enough science to make the blanket statement – organic is always better -- the research is well under way to measure the benefits of growing foods in a way that’s healthier for the humans and the planet. One notable study reported in the Journal of Agricultural Food Chemistry showed that organic blueberries provided 50 percent more antioxidants than conventional grown berries.
Nutrient Rich
More Americans than ever may be overfed today, but ironically they’re often undernourished. They’re not eating enough of the right foods. That’s why there’s a shift in diet advice to promote foods that pack more punch per serving.
A recent report from The Organic Center, announced a new tool to compare the nutritional quality of the vegetables, fruits, grain-based foods, dairy products and meat and fish. Turns out dark leafy greens such as kale and spinach come out on top dishing out the most nutrients at the lowest calorie cost.
The report calls attention to the decline in nutrient content of many crops grown by conventional farming methods focused on higher yields rather than nutritional quality. Researchers suspect "heirloom" varieties of plants, being grown by many small farms, yield produce that's richer in vitamin and mineral content.
Growing Organic Demand
More shoppers and diners are voting with their forks and choosing organic. According to Packaged Facts, a market research firm, U.S sales of natural and organic food and beverages could pass $78 billion by 2015, up from $39 billion today.
With more folks reaching for organic, what used to be available only in health foods stores and farmers’ markets has gone mainstream with major manufacturers getting into the game making it more affordable and convenient to buy organic versions of favorite foods.
The Local Food Guide compiled by Georgia Organics lists the many restaurants, caterers, bakeries and food shops in Georgia that serve locally grown, organic and natural ingredients. www.georgiaorganics.org
Certified Organic. To legally use the term “organic” farmers have to follow strict standards including growing foods in a way that replenishes the soil without the use of toxic pesticides and fertilizers. Products are grown and processed according to rules set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Organic Standards.
Know Your Farmer. Even though they can’t call their foods ‘organic’ the Georgia Organics website explains “There are plenty of farmers that farm organically, but just decided to not jump through the hoops set up by the government to reach organic certification. That’s why the adage “know your farmer” is such an important slogan these days.”
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