Apart, from "green", and "clean", organic is the word, one hears a lot, these days.
Food stores offer a great variety of produce branded organic, as do Farmers' Markets, Main Street specialty stores, and various Internet suppliers.
-What is organic food?
In short, it is food, that had been grown with help of natural rather than artificial methods, meaning no chemicals used to fertilize the soil, kill weeds & bugs, grow faster, harvest bigger, preserve longer, alter shape, flavor, or appearance.
Is this growing interest in organic food a trend or a fad?
Opinions vary, of course; I would like to think that "going organic" is not a fad.
"Dis-moi ce que tu manges, je te dirai ce que tu es" (tell me what you eat, and I'll tell you what you are),
Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin
To a growing number of our population, it is simply an informed conclusion and the choice between filling a tummy and nourishing the body. Mass production of uniformed food may have fulfilled basic needs for availability and affordability. Greater awareness of its methods, and liberal use of growth hormones, antibiotics, pesticides and other chemicals, made many worry about short and long-term effects of these practices. Increasingly, picking "best value" item from the shelf in front, is not that appealing, anymore.
- Is organic produce good for us?
Food raised organically is not just good; it is actually better for us!
For a start, - and since it is the real thing, - it does look, taste, smell and feel like one. Individual items vary in shape, size, ripeness, and fragrance. This makes shopping, and food preparation not just exciting, but a unique experience in itself. Then, there is a question of taste & quality. Produce that is not forced, but matures in its own time, will have better chance to develop flavor, we appreciate. It will also be more nutritious.
"Organic" is not just a label attached to food items available for sale. It is a way of life, really. Healthy produce requires healthy gardens to grow in, and healthy gardens mean healthy soil, air, water, the whole environment we all share.
It may not be feasible for consumers and gardeners alike, to become 100% certified organic, as of today. But, if you stop, and think what it would mean to you, then, here is a good start!
See our February ORGANIC KITCHEN GARDEN project section and begin creating your own organic kitchen garden, today.
For more in-depth information on the subject, please look at our References, below.
Back to Gardener's Pastimes in February page
Feedback - contact.tcg.now@gmail.com
References - Read more about: Organic food from Wikipedia
Special Thanks
Special Thanks to Town & Country Gardens Contributors: dive-angel (Karin), Jsmine&Roses, Rita Crane Photography. Rita Crane, daughter of LIFE magazine photographer Ralph Crane. Her work can be seen on Flickr at Rita Crane Photography or on her website., TMR Davies, W.D. Williams, Wikipedia
