| Ethical businesses such as and the co-op offer a real | | | | organic food you are providing the healthiest choice for |
| alternative for people concerned with these issues and | | | | your family and supporting the farms that provide us |
| with businesses that combine a strong ethical | | | | with healthy and ecological neighbourhoods. |
| dimension in tandem with making profits. | | | | The 'go local' food movement is flourishing - over 15% |
| Here are some of the main features of organic | | | | of people buy organic food locally and this number |
| farming:o Organic farming severely restricts the use of | | | | continues to rise as the number of farmer's markets, |
| artificial chemical fertilisers and pesticides.o Instead, | | | | box schemes, cafes and restaurants serving organic |
| organic farmers rely on developing a healthy, fertile soil | | | | food increase. Locally produced foods are often |
| and growing a mixture of crops.o Animals are reared | | | | fresher, healthier and more economical. It cuts down on |
| without the routine use of drugs, antibiotics and | | | | transport costs and 'food miles' where an average |
| wormers common in intensive livestock farming. | | | | shopping basket can include fruit and vegetables |
| Synthetic dyes and ingredients such as Sudan1 were in | | | | transported from all over the world. |
| the national news in February and can cause cancer. | | | | The big supermarkets in the UK are about to introduce |
| See for further details. Genetically modified (GM) crops | | | | there own vegetable box schemes. This is good |
| and ingredients are not allowed under organic | | | | because the supermarket schemes should encourage |
| standards. | | | | more people to buy organic food and are likely to raise |
| Why Buy Organic? | | | | the profile and public awareness of the benefits of |
| It has never been easier to shop for organic food, and | | | | organic box schemes in general. These new organic |
| there has never been so much choice. Every food | | | | consumers will hopefully become convinced of the |
| category now has an organic alternative. Its also | | | | benefits of organic food and become more interested |
| common sense; organic food is good food. Good to | | | | in and aware of the advantages of buying local too. |
| eat, good for the environment, good for the small-scale | | | | The supermarket schemes could therefore be a |
| farmers and the farm workers who produce it. | | | | positive first step on people's journey to buying organic, |
| Chefs across the country are committed to using | | | | local food generally and perhaps moving on to |
| organic ingredients because plants from healthy soils | | | | subscribe to independent box scheme businesses - as |
| and organically fed livestock provide us with more | | | | well as supporting other local food outlets like farmers' |
| flavorful food. Organic foods allow true flavour to shine | | | | markets or independent retailers. |
| through unlike other non-organic foods that look and | | | | The supermarkets themselves may find their |
| taste good but are often full of E numbers and artificial | | | | businesses becoming subject to more far-reaching |
| flavourings and ingredients. | | | | changes, as their customers are exposed to the |
| By supporting local, sustainable and organic farms in | | | | principles and practices which inspire the original local |
| your local community you also support the larger | | | | food and grassroots box-scheme movement. |
| community of which we are all a part. By eating | | | | |