The average person in America living on a non organic diet is exposed to nearly 10,000 pounds of chemical additives and preservatives by the time they reach age 65. Now, most people who don’t believe in eating organic food will claim that chemicals in food are in such small amounts that they wont hurt us. Every person has a different perspective on what a ‘’small amount” might be, but I can hardly think that anyone would admit that 10,000 pounds is a small amount. Medical Doctor Joan Morgan points out that ”Last year each of us, on average, swallowed three pounds of flavorings, coloring, preservatives, glazes, anti spattering agents, emulsifiers, bleaches, and other additives with our food.”

Chemicals such as additives, pesticides, and preservatives are believed to interfere with healthy enzyme activity. Enzymes are molecules that are responsible for making sure cellular processes are carried out properly and effectively. Most vitamins themselves are parts of enzymes. Once the body consumes a vitamin, the vitamin usually comes together with other vitamins, minerals and molecular structures to form a fully functioning enzyme.

The bad news is that the body doesn’t really ignore some substances and react to others. Most people think this is true but human cells don’t casually turn away and ignore chemical additives, and only become chummy with the nutrients. Non organic food has chemicals mixed into the molecular structure of the food. If chemicals weren’t distributed throughout the molecular structure there wouldn’t be any point to using them. The EU cancer prevention organization admitted in June 2009 that they were looking to prevent cancer by controlling all aspects of chemical contact with the human body. Countries such as Norway, Sweden and Germany have already banned the use of several food dyes and colorings that are still in use in the U.S. Other European countries are also cracking down and banning more and more chemical additives and preservatives.

Many people still argue that the health benefits of eating organic food don’t exist, but people seem to be ignoring those arguments because there are alot of positives that circulate around organic food. Here are some benefits of going organic:

1. Organic and bio dynamic farmers use methods that don’t strip the soil nearly as much as conventional methods do. Their methods differ from conventional ones because they give back to the soil nutrient quality. This is very important to keeping the soil nutrient rich, which will keep our produce nutrient rich.
2. Little to no pesticide residue. There has been evidence linking pesticides to harmful effects on the body.
3. Eating organic supports and maintains a healthy digestive tract because processed foods have been stripped of the natural fiber responsible for making a person have regular bowel movements.
4. Overall better health because the previously mentioned benefits will help support and maintain good health.

So is organic food beneficial to the individual? The answer is yes. The issue of whether they are more nutritious leads to a rather nasty, heated debate most of the time, but I will say that studies conducted in the UK and several European scientific institutions did find higher amounts of nutrients in organic food than regular food. The studies were made known to the public in a Times Online UK article in 2007. But in the end it really boils down to a matter of choice when is comes to making the change.Despite the naysayers and their passionate attempts to claim that organic food is worthless, the amount of people consuming organic food and raising a family on it seems to be growing with tremendous strength and speed.

In these times when organic foods are increasingly gaining approval among health-conscious people, more and more farmers are going into organic production.

For the farmer-members of the Kilolog Multi-Purpose Farmers Cooperative (KIMFACO) in Magsaysay, Davao del Sur, producing organic rice has become very rewarding as they have not only found a sure market for their produce, but likewise preserve the well-being of the people in the community. That is because they have already withdrawn from the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in rice farming which pose health and environmental hazards.

With the initiative from the local government unit of Magsaysay in partnership with Don Bosco Diocesan Youth Center, Inc. and with the grant aid from the Canadian Government, organic rice production was proposed in 2002 as one of the flagship projects under Magsaysays Sustainable Agriculture Program.

Commercial production of organic rice took off in 2003 when initial harvests were sold at the community level. At first there was difficulty in introducing organic rice to the consumers due to its higher price (current price is P40 per kilo). Again with the assistance from LGU, organic rice was repackaged and was given the brand name MagRice, which stands for Magsaysay Rice.

HOW MAGRICE IS PRODUCED
MagRice, as claimed, is organically grown by the farmer-partners in the community. Carlos C. Ortiz, program manager, says that farmers adopt biodynamic and Korean natural farming methods and preparations by using indigenous materials and preparations. These include milk and honey spray, detoxified rice seeds, natural minerals, composts and herbs.

Milk and honey spray, according to Ortiz, is traditionally used by farmers in European and Western countries for their orchard. Here in the Philippines, it is the first time that milk and honey spray is used for rice production, he said. The concoction can attract natural enemies in the field, improves aroma and grain quality, and claimed to make the grains heavier.

On one hand, the use of detoxified rice seeds (seeds produced from third to sixth croppings) is aimed to make sure that the resulting crops will be free from the traces of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. The farmers carefully practice roguing or elimination of mixes to preserve the purity of the seeds. Only the traditional inbred varieties from International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) are planted by farmer-partners.

Relatively, measures are adopted to prevent contamination of the crops. One of which is building buffer zones by planting vegetables along the paddies and constructing canalets at every boundary.

The farmers were also taught on soil nutrient management and development. They practice composting and making organic fertilizers right at their own farm. They also apply natural minerals such as crystal quarts to meet the mineral requirement of the crops.

Korean technologies such as the use of fish amino acid, plant enzymes and juices to supplement nutrients are continuously practiced.

GOOD YIELD
By adopting the recommended technology for MagRice, yield stands at three to 4.5 tons per hectare (t/ha) for farmers who are first time in organic rice farming, and 5 to 5.5 t/ha for those who are into organic farming for quite a longer time.

DEMAND IS INCREASING
On the average, 50 bags of MagRice are sold in every outlet per month. Currently, there are two authorized distributors of MagRice in Magsaysay. The demand increases during lean seasons when some of the consumers turn to organic rice for their rice requirements.

One typical problem encountered in organic rice production is the low supply. To address this, farmer-partners are being encouraged to sell their produce directly to the co-op to maximizc their profit. The farmers are insured of good price for their organic palay which is bought at a higher price per kilo.

At present, there are approximately 3,000 rice farmers in Magsaysay. Out of this number, 143 farmers are into organic farming.

MARKETING
One marketing strategy developed for MagRice is selling it at the government and private offices. LGU Magsaysay also continuously promotes MagRice by attending trade fairs in the province and nearby provinces. And it did not take long before MagRice became one of the bestsellers in these trade fairs.

MagRice is available in 2, 5, 25 and 50-kilogram packaging. One can choose from aromatic rice, long grain softy white rice, red rice and fancy rice.

Organic food bars are made for toddlers by many reputable baby food companies. One such company that makes special organic food bars for toddlers is Earth’s Best. According to the companies web site, the company started when two brothers, Ron and Arnie Koss began the organic food company in 1985. The reason that they began the company was because “they wanted babies to begin their lives with wholesome and safe food diets based upon organic farming practices designed to enrich Earth’s soil and water supplies for future generations.” Included in their product line are special organic food bars that come in various flavors and are sure to tickle the taste buds of little ones.

Another type of organic food bar that is available for older kids is a CLIF ZBaR. These are organic energy bars that are baked whole grain bars without any sugar or high fructose corn syrup. They are also made without using any trans fats. These organic food bars are perfect right before the big game or a family outing. They help to keep the energy level of children up, and the company also has a line of food bars for adults. These bars can be found in the company’s organic foods online store at CLIFZBaR.

Organic food bars for kids are now widely available. If they cannot be found in the local grocery or organic health food store, a person can always find several different brands online. With childhood obesity at an all time high, now more than ever, kids need to eat healthy. Lifestyles are busier today and people are constantly on the move. With the convenience of organic food bars, children can remain healthy and eat healthy as well. This in itself is the best reason to eat organically.