| There's more and more hype about eating organic | | | | chemical fertilisers, antibiotics and drugs. They |
| food nowadays. And with the advance of the | | | | should state so if they do, a truly organic farmer |
| internet, it's becoming a lot easier for those of us | | | | will move his animals to a fresher pasture rather |
| who prefer organic food to find good information | | | | than use anything artificial. Animals are free to |
| and local suppliers. The quickest way is to simply | | | | graze and there is absolutely no cruelty involved |
| search for "organic food websites". | | | | and no animal fodder is genetically modified on an |
| But knowing which organic food websites you | | | | organic farm. |
| should trust is a different ball game altogether. | | | | 6. An organic farmer has to run his farm |
| Do they source local foods? Are they passionate | | | | organically for two years before it is recognised |
| about animal welfare? How long has the company | | | | by the Soil Association as organic. This period is |
| been going? | | | | known as conversion. If the organic food website |
| So, to help you make the right choice, here are a | | | | is selling conversion food, again it should say so |
| few helpful tips: | | | | and it will be suitably labeled as such |
| | | | 7. Will they exclude items from the boxes that |
| 1. Look for an organic website that's local to you. | | | | you don't like? |
| Chances are the produce will be fairly local too. If | | | | 8. Can you tailor the box to suit your specific |
| it's not available locally, a good website will tell you. | | | | requirements? If you're not 100% satisfied with |
| And they'll give you their reasons why. It may be | | | | your home delivery, does the company offer to |
| because it's out of season in your area and they | | | | exchange or refund your money? If the company |
| have to go abroad, which is fine as long as they | | | | is flexible you're more likely to return. There's |
| tell you. | | | | bound to be "a hungry gap" at some point in the |
| 2. Read their website carefully; | | | | year, especially springtime. It's where the hardy |
| 3. How do you know if it's organic? Good | | | | winter crop has already been harvested and the |
| websites will have a page of FAQs where you | | | | spring ones haven't ripened. This is particularly |
| can read the answers to questions you will be | | | | apparent in British crops. Where do they source |
| asking. If it's not completely organic it should say | | | | their produce at this time? |
| so! They may not always be able to give the | | | | Finally, if the organic company can't buy a specific |
| exact location of where their produce comes | | | | fruit or vegetable in its own country they may |
| from, they may purchase the same item from | | | | buy from abroad, i.e. bananas, coffee, chocolate |
| several growers in the same week, which enables | | | | you won't be able to check if it's organic unless |
| them to take smaller harvests and give you a | | | | they state so. |
| more reliable supply. | | | | But you can look for "Fairtrade" on their website, |
| 4. If you're having a box of vegetables or fruit | | | | the Fairtrade movement entitles citizens to |
| delivered to your home, make sure it has a good | | | | campaign for an international trade system which |
| nutritional balance. | | | | is based on justice and fairness. |
| 5. Look to find out if their wholesalers use artificial | | | | |