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