TEN REASONS FOR GOING ORGANIC WITH FARE

Organic Foods are becoming more mainstream and our mission here at FARE (Farm Alliance for Responsible Ecology) is to help promote the distribution of organic food locally and timely There are dozens of reasons to buy items that are organic (Note: When FARE uses the word "organic" we use it in the broader natural definition, not necessarily the USDA definition and not confusing the "Certified Organic" which has legal definitions.)

1. Reduces Health Risks. Many EPA-approved pesticides were registered long before extensive research linked these chemicals to cancer and other diseases. Organic agriculture is one way to prevent any more of these chemicals from getting into the air, earth and water that sustain us. In addition, organic food contains higher levels of vitamin C and essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron and chromium as well as powerful antioxidants.

2. Benefits Wildlife and the Environment Overall, organic and sustainable farming supports more farmland wildlife than non-organic farming. It causes lower pollution from sprays, produces less carbon dioxide - the main global warming gas - and less dangerous wastes.

3. Reliance on Drugs Removed Antibiotic additives routinely added to animal food to speed animal growth are linked with bacterial resistance in humans to the same or closely related antibiotics. Soil Association standards ban the routine use of antibiotics. Being in a third generation (in the US, much longer in Europe) farm family we recognize that grandparents and their grandparents didn't use chemicals to produce. FARE reaches back to their wisdom for growing and sustaining.

4. Tastes Great Many people buy organic food because they believe it tastes better than non-organic. This could be because organic fruit and vegetables tend to grow more slowly and have a lower water content, which may contribute to the fuller flavor some people experience. A poll in 2005 showed that quality and taste of food are important to more people than low prices. In addition, its also common sense - well-balanced soils produce strong, healthy plants that become nourishing food for people and animals. We are "foodies" and we like food. If it doesn't taste good, we don't sell it.

5. Organic Products meet Stringent Standards.
Organic food comes from trusted sources. Unless otherwise stated FARE products are chemical and pesticide free, locally grown or produced and in season. We state clearly we don't grow 100% of our products, but we buy from trusted sources, doing the leg work for you.

6. Organic Practices Lead to a Healthy Ecosystem The elimination of polluting chemicals and nitrogen leaching, done in combination with soil building, protects and conserves water resources. Soil is the foundation of the food chain. The primary focus of organic farming is to use practices that build healthy soils. Organic agricultural respects the balance demanded of a healthy ecosystem: wildlife is encouraged by including forage crops in rotation and by retaining fence rows, wetlands, and other natural areas.

7. Organic farming helps keep rural communities healthy
USDA reported that in 1997, half of U.S. farm production came from only 2% of farms. Organic agriculture can be a lifeline for small farms because it offers an alternative market where sellers can command fair prices for crops. FARE believes that this niche market is only growing exponentially.

8. Organic abundance - Foods and non-foods alike!
Now every food category has an organic alternative. And non-food agricultural products are being grown organically - even cotton, which most experts felt could not be grown this way. FARE attempts at every turn to use only natural, organic and sustainable items.

9. Care for AnimalsNo system of farming has higher levels of animal welfare standards than organic farms working to Soil Association standards. Compassion in World Farming believes that the Soil Association's welfare standards are leaders in the field. (Joyce d'Silva, Director, Compassion in World Farming.)

10. GM-free Genetically modified (GM) crops and ingredients are not allowed under organic standards. Over a million tons of GM crops are to feed non organic livestock that produce much, if not most, of the non organic pork, bacon, milk, cheese and other dairy products in our supermarkets.
11. Organic Producers Strive to Preserve Diversity
The loss of a large variety of species (biodiversity) is one of the most pressing environmental concerns. The good news is that many organic farmers and gardeners have been collecting and preserving seeds, and growing unusual varieties for decades.