LOCAL & ORGANIC
Why Grow, Buy & Eat Certified Organic Food?
When you see “certified organic”, you can be assured that this is a verifiable source of food that can be traced back from the plate to the farmer that has produced it.
In both plant and livestock production, organic standards do not allow synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, GMOs, antibiotics, growth hormones, or feed containing animal by-products. Organic standards stipulate animal welfare concerns including low population density, access to fresh air and lots of sunshine!
Organic farms are safer, healthier work environments for the farmers, their families, their workers and for the local communities. Organic farming helps to protect our water, air and soil by leaving a lighter footprint on the earth, and helping to ensure a sustainable future for our children.
WHY DOES ORGANIC FOOD COST MORE?
Growing organic food is much more labour-intensive than conventional farming. Extra attention and care is required to produce certified organic food. Animals raised under organic standards take longer to reach market weight as they are not subjected to artificial growth promoters such as antibiotics, hormones, feed containing animal by-products, genetically-engineered enzymes, etc.
Organic food production requires extra attention and care with labour-intensive hand weeding and pest removal, and a reduced reliance on machinery use. Organic production requires extensive record keeping, daily work logs, audits and verification by inspectors to ensure integrity and that high standards are maintained.
WHY BUY LOCAL FOOD?
Knowing where and how your food is grown helps you feel secure. Local produce is freshly picked and high in quality. Local produce promotes a cleaner environment by reducing fossil fuel consumption. Buying local produce helps to build community by creating a direct connection between those who grow the food and those who eat it. Money spent locally stays in the community and preserves local economies.
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Local and organic is the way to go! Support PEI Food Sovereignty.
