As a mum of two teenage boys, food has always played an important role in our household and I have always made sure that my family knew exactly where their food came from and to buy organic where possible.
It was only when I joined The Soil Association in 2014, after leaving my job in retail marketing, that I saw just how important it was to educate other families on how to incorporate organic into their lifestyle.
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I had never really thought too much about where my food came from, until I had my own family and realised it was time for change.
Even though a lot of people are choosing carefully when it comes to the produce they buy, there is still a lot of mystery surrounding organic food, and myths that need debunking. Which is where my job as Business Development Director of The Soil Association comes in.
Some people I speak to still believe buying organic is too expensive, they also don’t think it will be easily accessible, but this isn’t the case. There is also a lot of confusion about what organic food is and its benefits.
Eating organic means eating food as it should be.
It means choosing products that have worked with nature, not against it, to only buy from farms and reputable companies that have the highest standards of animal welfare, lower levels of pesticides and those who stay clear from artificial colours, preservatives and GM ingredients.
It doesn’t have to be expensive – in fact, organic food doesn’t always increase your shopping bill as many worry about, but can sometimes can help to reduce it.
Everyday items such as yogurt, bread, pasta, tea and many seasonal vegetables are the same price as non-organic alternatives, and in some cases are even lower.
And it is everyday food – not just fancy produce, saved for the Michelin star restaurants.
It’s your milk, your coffee, your fruits and veggies. Organic food is available nationwide in over 8,000 supermarkets, independent shops, cafes and restaurants and is increasing daily.
And you might even be buying organic without knowing it.
Kallo, Pukka Tea, Yeo Valley and Green and Blacks chocolate all carry the Soil Association Organic symbol, meaning that they have been independently inspected and approved to the highest standard.
For me, eating organic is about helping create a sustainable change in the world.
It’s about providing my family with nutritious and healthy food that doesn’t harm their bodies or the farms or animals that produce it.
It’s about creating small changes that equate to a huge difference.
Just by switching to one organic item a day, we can really help to contribute to changing our food system for the better.
People like you and me buying more organic food means the demand for organic farms increase, and more organic farms mean more wildlife and animals being raised to the highest welfare standards.
Here are some easy tips to going organic this September:
Wake up to organic
If like me, you need your morning cuppa to start the day, why not have one that is going to benefit all involved?
That’s your good deed done for the day all before breakfast.
Organic tea and coffee are grown with fewer pesticides, which means more wildlife is able to grow.
Switch to organic dairy products
Organic cheese, milk and yogurt are often the same price as branded non-organic, which means you don’t have to spend more on your daily dairy intake.
Eat seasonally
Buying organic food when it is in season not only gives you the best quality and highest nutrition but also the best value for money.
Look into a box scheme for the easiest way to eat with the local seasons.
Buy in bulk and stock up
Bulk up that store cupboard with everyday staples such as baked beans, pasta and canned tomatoes – found at the same price or less than non-organic items.
Look online
We are so lucky to live in a world where everything we need can be found online.
So why not utilise this and find great prices direct from brands or through Ocado, Able & Cole and even Amazon?
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