| Farming practices used before the 1900's | | | | All of this though begs the questions - |
| are classed as organic. It was only | | | | why can't farmers just grow food without |
| after this that added chemicals such as | | | | chemicals at all, why does it need |
| urea and DDT were brought into farming - | | | | regulation, and why were chemicals |
| previous to this, farmers didn't have | | | | introduced into grown food and other |
| the knowledge and simply put, were happy | | | | consumables in the first place; I think |
| enough with things as they were; as most | | | | you already know the answer though, and |
| of us today would be. After all, home | | | | that's money. |
| grown food is often the nicest, most | | | | In this modern technological age where |
| tasty food we put on our plates. | | | | farmers are in direct competition |
| For some reason, during the 1960's and | | | | between each other to gain the bigger |
| 1970's the concept of organic food | | | | contracts of the supermarkets and other |
| became a separate entity to the 'normal' | | | | food retailers, they have to be cheap. |
| food we were then buying. Consumers had | | | | They simply can't grow the vegetables |
| been effectively duped into believing | | | | (for example) as fast as the grocery |
| that what they were buying, was food as | | | | store can sell them, so they have to |
| nature intended, it not appreciating | | | | resort to other methods to keep up, or |
| that the chemicals which were added | | | | did do at least until the consumers |
| during growth of the 'normal stuff' were | | | | voice began to ring out strong and true. |
| what actually made the food abnormal in | | | | Organic food is no longer a small niche |
| the first place. | | | | in the food desires of Americans; it is |
| Rachel Carson, a prominent writer, | | | | becoming what everyone wants. Everyone |
| biologist and ecologist established | | | | now wants and feels the need to eat in a |
| public awareness of these issues via | | | | more healthy fashion with the onset of |
| 'Silent Spring', a book she wrote which | | | | so many new medical conditions which |
| basically brought about major | | | | prove costly as it is; a little more |
| controversy on the use of agricultural | | | | expense to eat something grown without |
| chemicals and synthetic pesticides in | | | | strong use of chemicals (which could |
| particular. As a direct result of this | | | | 'theoretically' make it worse) might |
| book, and the growing concern over the | | | | mean a saving health-wise instead. |
| use of farm chemicals which consumers | | | | The organic food trend of today is |
| were suddenly more aware of, chemical | | | | growing ever-stronger, and not just for |
| regulation procedures were put into | | | | vegetables even though at one point |
| place, and when the demand for | | | | organic purchases totalled over 40% of |
| organically grown food rose, so did the | | | | all organic buys. Meat and fish which is |
| need for further regulatory procedures | | | | organically produced is still at the |
| to cut down on the ecologically | | | | lowest of all food purchases, but is |
| destructive and toxic chemicals. | | | | moving up the chain too. Dairy, bread |
| Today, organic food is finally reaching | | | | and grain, beverages and snacks are all |
| an all time high of acceptance from | | | | becoming more and more popular. |
| consumers, so its demand is increasing - | | | | Today there are more Organic |
| more 'organically acceptable' | | | | supermarkets popping up everywhere, |
| agricultural procedures are gaining | | | | sometimes in certain areas more than |
| momentum, and it seems even though it is | | | | others - almost as though people in one |
| more expensive than chemically treated | | | | state are more 'organic' than others but |
| foodstuffs, it is healthier, and it is | | | | on the whole it is more of a blanket |
| that health factor which is winning the | | | | change than just a few people trying to |
| battle against chemically treated | | | | eat in a healthier way, the amount of |
| consumables. | | | | people eating organically is far more |
| A creation of a whole new set of ideas | | | | substantial than most realize. Suddenly |
| about organic standards which first came | | | | people have more choice, and this is |
| into debate in 1990, took over ten years | | | | obviously because the demand is there. |
| to refine to relative perfection, and | | | | The world is finally going organic, and |
| they will still evolve as new practices | | | | with any luck the bigger grocery store |
| come into force. It is by these | | | | chains will have to meet this demand, |
| standards now that, organic food and | | | | rather than flood the market with |
| other products such as wool in the USA | | | | low-cost chemically treated |
| is grown/gathered. | | | | alternatives. |