9781422280478

Organic Foods

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IFOAM Principles

Organic production methods aim to conserve natural resources, release fewer toxins into the environment, and respect the natural life cycles of plants and animals. However, some people worry that the increased popularity of organic foods has decreased quality, as suppliers work to keep up with demand. They feel the term “organic” is losing its meaning as large-scale producers find loopholes in standards, such as being able to use manmade chemicals if regulators (the people who enforce the standards) believe they are essential. It can be hard to find solutions that please both growers and consumers. • The Principle of Care. We must be cautious with new technologies and respect traditional agricultural methods to ensure the health of farms, ecosystems, and the planet. ▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲ In 2005, the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) came up with four “Principles of Organic Agriculture” that serve as a good overview of the organic mission: • The Principle of Health. Organic farming is concerned with the well-being of humans, animals, soil, and plants, and with the understanding that they are all connected. • The Principle of Ecology. Every ecosystem—a community of living and nonliving things that interact within an environment—has ways of maintaining balance, and we should try to work with these processes rather than alter them. • The Principle of Fairness. Farmers should see themselves as caretakers and not just owners of the land, and be as concerned about the health and safety of their customers and future generations as they are about their own.

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