Food organic research

Researching the Organic Food Business

Eating organic food has become big business.  As the organic food business has become more lucrative, the term, “organic,” has come to mean just about anything.  The NOP (National Organic Program) has set standards for organic farming in the US.  The standards protect consumers from charlatans, but they don’t ensure that organic food is better than commercially grown food.

Agricultural organizations and organic farmers all over the world are doing research to prove the superiority of organic food.  It’s one of those things that seems to be obviously true, but objective information is needed to make sure the claims of organic farmers are correct.

In addition, for food that is organic, research needs to show which methods of organic farming are most effective. 

When we’re talking about growing food, organic research topics include:
• What organic soil amendments improve crop quality and quantity
• Crop rotation benefits
• Companion planting
• Natural pest control
• Harmful effects of chemical agriculture.

In the area of producing food, organic research needs to be done to show:
• Effects of chemicals used for pest control/soil improvement on farm workers
• Effects of various processes (such as heating, grinding, etc) on the quality of the final food product.

In the area of transporting food, organic research is needed to show what happens to nutrient quality when foods are transported over long distances.  We also need to learn how far and by what methods it’s best to transport organic food.

The most important questions are about consuming the food.  Organic research is needed to demonstrate that organic foods are safer and healthier for the consumer than chemically grown food.  Research will answer the critics and demonstrate whether or not organic foods really are better.

 More Organic Food Resources:

The National Organic Programe: Is your starting point for accessing information on USDA's National Organic Program...

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