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Earth Day is April 22, but we don't have to wait for Earth Day to make a difference. We can choose to make a difference every day by choosing to go organic, local and seasonal. Here's how...
Organic Farming Makes a BIG Difference
Numerous studies have shown that organic agriculture practices benefit the environment, and the end consumer, in a variety of ways. Organic farming proves to be sustainable over the long term while also promoting species biodiversity and improving soil and air quality. Organic farming helps protect groundwater resources from pollution by industrial pesticides and fertilizers, and there are no GMOs in foods labeled organic.
Organic foods are also healthier for you. Research shows that organic produce contains higher amounts of essential vitamins and minerals than its industrially produced counterpart, and many of the pesticides used in factory farming have been linked to increased risks of cancer and other diseases. When you choose organic foods, you are decreasing your risk of exposure to these chemicals.
Buy Local, Eat Seasonal
According to research by Colorado State University, today's commercially produced fruits and vegetables travel an average of 1500 miles from farm to table. Choosing locally produced, organic foods whenever possible allows you to have a direct impact in reducing the amount of fossil fuels used in food production. Estimates show that when it comes to industrial food production and transportation, there are approximately 10 calories of energy expended in the manufacture and transport of produce for every 1 calorie of nutritional content.
Your health, the health of the planet – and your wallet – can also benefit from choosing a seasonal diet. When you choose fresh fruits and vegetables that are in season in your local area, you reap the benefits of eating foods that are at their peak – both in nutrition and in flavor. For example: tomatoes that are harvested locally when they're ripe and delivered fresh to your organic market not only taste better, they have more of the vital nutrients our bodies need. Compare this to tomatoes that are picked when they're green and shipped across the country before they find their way to your plate and we're sure you'll agree.
You also have the added bonus of lower prices when you choose foods that are in season locally. When there is an abundance of a product locally and it doesn't have to be shipped halfway across the country, it is much lower in price than when it has to be shipped in from the places where it is in season. For more reasons to eat seasonal, see this article from Grist.
Whatever your plans for Earth Day this year, your friends at 4th Generation Organic Market can help. Call us – or just stop in and see what's new. We're here for you, and we're here for sustainable living – from Earth Day to every day.
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