The Organic Child

It’s a logical assumption: if you want your kids healthy, you feed them healthy food. And today, more and more parents are choosing ‘healthy’ by choosing organic.

What is organic? Organic refers to the way agricultural products – meat, dairy, fruits and vegetables -- are grown and processed. At its core, it relies on a healthy rich soil to produce strong plants that resist pests and diseases. Organic farming prohibits the use of toxic and persistent chemicals in favor of more “earth-friendly” practices that work in harmony with nature. In the case of livestock, antibiotics are prohibited, opting instead for preventative measures for keeping animals healthy and productive. Organic production also prohibits the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

Are organic foods really that much healthier? Knowing how the organic farmer feeds the soil will tell you a lot about what "organic" really means. The basic belief of organic farming is that healthier soil will produce healthier plants and safer food. The organic farmer believes, and rightly so, that if you avoid treating the soil with chemicals, the food it produces will be better for humans, and the environment will benefit as well.

Thankfully, choosing organic foods today has never been more convenient. Large natural food stores—like Whole Foods and Wild Oats — offer a dizzying array of choices, while most major supermarkets have an organics section.

Organic food is nothing new: it’s only been since World War II that food production has featured the use of pesticides, herbicides, artificial flavors, colors and the like. However, because a growing number of today’s consumers are choosing organic, food makers, retailers and farmers are getting the message. The result is that organic products have never been more widely available and more affordable.