Organic Food: Natural Eating for a Healthier Life

In recent years a lot of attention has been put on the production and consumption of organic food. As Americans reevaluate their health and begin taking their health into their own hands, many are turning to the use of organic products, such as meats, teas, vegetables, fruits, organic baby food and much more to better their bodies.

This recent emphasis and bringing of organics to the forefront has left some wondering, "What is organic food, exactly?" It is defined as food products that are "free of pesticides, chemical fertilizers, and genetically modified organisms that are not processed using chemical solvents, irradiation, or food additives." While that is technically what makes organic food what it is, there is so much more to this complex lifestyle and way of eating.

Historically, almost all agriculture could have been considered organic until the 20th century when chemical pesticides made their way into modern-day farming. In the 1940s, there was a huge "green movement" to bring the world back to the ways of natural foods. The term was coined by Lord Northbourne, a British writer and agriculturalist, who began using the term "organic farming" in his 1940 book Look to the Land, and our modern concept of organic food was born.

But what makes organic food so much better than other foods according to proponents? Organic products are held to extremely high standards (which are regulated by the National Organic Program) and must be certified by one of the governing bodies of the USDA that oversees organic production, as well as meeting regulations in place by the FDA for non-organic foods.

Even though organic food can be more expensive than non-organic, many people believe that the benefits of it far outweigh the costs, and it is quickly becoming a main part of American culture, growing in sales each year.