Top 10 Reasons For Shopping At An Organic Marketplace

Consumer demand for organically produced goods is expected to show double-digit growth according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). In nearly three out of four grocery stores, organic products are available in over 20,000 natural food stores. In the U.S., there are three venues with which organic foods are sold to consumers: direct-to-buyers or online; grocery stores; and natural food stores. The USDA reported that during the period 2005 to 2014 (estimated), U.S. sales of organic products were $28 billion in 2012 which represented more than four percent of total food sales – it's estimated that sales will exceed $35 billion in 2014 with fruit and vegetable as the leading category followed by dairy and then beverages.

 

Organic farming refers to agricultural production systems used to produce food and fiber. Farmers depend on biological diversity in the field to disrupt habitat for pest organisms and for replenishment of the soil and are not permitted to use synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. All types of agricultural products are organically produced including produce, grains, meat, dairy, eggs, and fibers such as cotton, flowers, and processed food products.

 

If you're ready to make a healthy change for you and your family, visit MyHealthyMarket.com. You can get all of your organic produce online regardless of where you call home. Here are 10 reasons to shop at an organic marketplace.

 

Local – stores with partnerships with local farms and producers add legitimacy to the organic and farm-fresh consumer. In addition, consumers are happy to spend because they know that every dollar is going back into the community. The organic farmer must adhere to strict standards to be qualified to sell under this category and buying local means that your produce will always be fresh.

 

Free range or grass fed – many of us use words interchangeably and get confused as to their definitions. For example, poultry is kept in movable, floorless pens, moved daily over fresh range pasture. The pens are commonly referred to call "chicken tractors" because they contain waterer and grain-feeders. The chickens need a certain amount of grain along with their grass as part of their diet and are permitted free access to grass. Generally, chickens will consume up to 30 percent of their calories from grass and green plants. The idea of pasturing means that they are the healthiest chickens, meat, and eggs available.

 

Organic certified – certified organic refers to agricultural products that have been grown and processed according to uniform standards, verified by independent state or private organizations accredited by the USDA. Any product that is advertised and sold as “organic” must meet the standards and be certified. Certification includes annual submission of an organic system plan and inspection of farm fields and processing facilities. Processing inspections include review of the facility's cleaning and pest control methods, ingredient transportation and storage, and record keeping and audit control. Organic foods are minimally processed to maintain the integrity of food without artificial ingredients or preservatives. Certified organic requires the rejection of synthetic agrochemicals, irradiation and genetically engineered foods or ingredients.

 

Non-GMO or genetically engineered – GMOs are genetically modified organisms which are living organisms whose genetic material has been artificially manipulated in a laboratory. There are safety concerns but nothing substantial regarding unstable combinations of plant, animal, bacteria and viral genes that do not occur in nature or through traditional crossbreeding methods. It's still relatively a new science so there is much more to learn and gain from further investigations by scientist.

 

Natural or all-natural – in the U.S., a food label that includes the word “natural” has no regulated definition so it can mean almost anything that the manufacturer desires. Most “natural” marked labels are not subject to government controls beyond the regulations and health codes with the exception of poultry and meats. The USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service requires that these foods are to be free of artificial colors, flavors, sweeteners, preservatives, and ingredients.

 

Vegetarian – organic farming requires the use of large amounts of animal waste product as fertilizer and may include manure, chicken blood, fish slurry, and other forms. The animal waste is supplied by "conventional" animal farms.

 

Gluten-free – gluten is a thickening agent and a sticky protein and has many applications. Gluten is a wheat protein that is used in confectionery bread and other products. Some manufacturers use it as in manufacturing spices, used in cosmetics as a thickener, and many products have traces of gluten. It is difficult to completely list down all products that use high, moderate, low, and traces of gluten. A gluten free diet is primarily advised if you have celiac disease which is to say that you are unable to digest gluten. Most people may not have a problem eating gluten but some do have this sensitivity where they not only experience digestive problems but also brain fogging, memory loss, and depression. Gluten free food can be organic but not always.

 

Lactose-free – lactose is a sugar found in milk and milk products and is considered a disaccharide containing glucose and galactose units. There is an estimated 25 percent of the U.S. population which suffers from varying degrees of lactose intolerance, according to the National Institute of Health. This means the body cannot easily digest lactose and there are 80 percent of Americans who have symptoms.

 

Vegan – there is a growing interest in people who have decided on a diet that is free of all meats and protein-based products. There may be other concerns regarding the potential for cross-contamination between vegan and non-vegan products; however, the organic farmer is educated and cognizant of these concerns.

 

Made in America – society as a whole is much more mobile than in previous years. The economies of nations have become a global one which is more dependent on foreign goods and services too. For many Americans, the idea of buying national products is just as important today as it has ever been and more so given the recent history of food-borne illnesses due to imported food stuffs.