I recently received a product request for Nuts To You Organic Peanut Butter.  I am always elated to find a product for a customer, but I was befuddled by the word ‘organic’ in the name.  What made this peanut butter more ‘organic’ than others?  I did some research on ‘organic’ food production, and here is what I discovered.

The term “organic” refers to how food is produced and distributed.  According to the Canadian Organic Growers, organic food comes from:

“…a holistic system designed to optimize the productivity & fitness of diverse communities within the agro-ecosystem, including soil organisms, plants, livestock and people.  The principal goal of organic production is to develop enterprises that are sustainable and harmonious with the environment.”

In plain English, organic farming helps protect the environment and people.  But doesn’t this imply that conventional farming practices harm people and the environment?  Ay, there’s the rub!  Industrial agriculture requires huge amounts of energy (oil, gas, and water) and the use of synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, and food processing ingredients.  According to the United Nations Environment Programme, today’s food production methods are responsible for over 30% of the greenhouse gases that enter our atmosphere!

Organic farming is friendlier for the earth, our economy, and most importantly our health.  Certified Organic food is absent of synthetic chemical based additives and genetically modified ingredients, which means it is more like the food that humans have been eating since the beginning of time.

Remember, my friends:  the food you eat doesn’t only affect you, but the whole world too.