Too many pesticides, herbicides and fungicides in your food? Try eating organic.
Organic food certification requires that crops and livestock are grown and reared naturally, without artificial fertilisers, synthetic pesticides, chemical feeds, growth-promotion drugs or routine antibiotics. As a result, organic produce is chemical-free, often higher in the nutrients and minerals our bodies require, and most importantly, it can taste better. Also, meat derived from free-range and organic farms comes from animals that have been treated more humanely.
How to do it now!
Buy and eat organic food
Organic food is becoming available everywhere. Check your local shops, supermarket and farmers markets, as well as online.
Fruits and vegetables where the organic label matters the most
According to the Environmental Working Group, a non-profit organisation that analyses the results of government pesticide testing in the United States of America, the following twelve fruits and vegetables have the highest pesticide levels on average. Because of their high pesticide levels when conventionally grown; it is best to buy these varieties as organically grown:
| Apples | Cherries | Nectarines | Peaches | Carrots | Lettuce |
| Capsicum | Peppers | Grapes | Kale | Pears | Celery |
| Strawberries |
Non-organic fruits and vegetables with low pesticide levels
These conventionally grown fruits and vegetables were found to have the lowest levels of pesticides. Most of these have thicker skin or peel, which naturally protects them better from pests, and which also means their production does not require the use of as many pesticides.
| Asparagus | Eggplant | Pineapple | Avocado | Kiwi | Peas (sweet) |
| Broccoli | Mango | Sweet Potatoes | Cabbage | Onion | Tomatoes |
| Corn (sweet) | Papaya | Watermelon |
Online organic shops that will deliver the good stuff to your home include:
New South Wales
- Piccolo Farm - Thirlmere - Locally grown organic food.
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The Oaks Organics - a range of organic meats.
- Earth Air Fire Water Organics - Buxton Organically grown herbs, herbal tea's & body products.
- Harvest Hub - Have a network of "Hubs" in Sydney where you pick up your produce.
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Doorstep Organics - Delivery Address: Most Sydney suburbs, Helensburgh, Wollongong and South Coast
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Food Connect - Delivery Address: Inner West, Eastern Suburbs, North Shore, Northern Beaches, Ryde, Southern Suburbs
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Organic Connections - Delivery Address: Sydney CBD, Eastern Suburbs, Inner West, North Sydney, Lower North Shore
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Organics Only - Delivery Address: St George area and the Sutherland Shire, Sydney City, Eastern Suburbs, Inner West, Northern Beaches and North Shore
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More Health Organics - Delivery Address: Sydney suburbs, North Shore and Hills District
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Lettuce Deliver Organics - Delivery Address: Most Sydney Suburbs
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The Organic Grocer - Delivery Address: Sydney wide, Blue Mountains and Central Coast.
The Australian Organic Food Directory can also lead you in the right direction.
Organic Labeling in Australia
According to the ACCC "There is a voluntary Australian standard for growers and manufacturers wishing to label their products ‘organic’ and ‘biodynamic’ (AS 6000–2009). This standard is a useful reference point when determining whether a product is organic."
In addition, there are currently 7 Organic Certifiers that are accredited by the Department of Agriculture and Forestry (DAFF). These are The DAFF accredited certifying bodies and their logos:
The Organic Federation of Australia is working with the Federal Government to establish a single National Organic Seal in Australia.
Why is this action important?
Eating organic food helps negate climate change by using less transport and industrial energy, reducing nitrogen release into the environment (organic farming doesn't use artificial or synthetic fertilisers) and minimising salinity and soil loss caused by hard-hoofed animals and intensive farming methods. Organic farming has a positive impact on local ecosystems and biodiversity and can even help improve the local environment. Organic food is better for you - try it and taste the difference!
Environmental benefit
Organic produce is a more environmentally beneficial form of farming because it doesn't require energy-intensive farming methods and avoids heavy use of fertilisers, pesticides and herbicides. It works with, rather than against, local biological and environmental systems and species, and also builds soil mass - a very effective way to store carbon from the atmosphere, and therefore slows climate change.
Wellbeing benefit
Organic food is better for you. It's higher in nutrients, lower in artificial additives and is free of genetic modification, preservatives and unnatural chemicals. Free-range organic eggs, indigenous meats (such as kangaroo) and native fruits and vegetables all have minimal impacts on the land.
