The Secret Behind Organic Produce That Flies Off Grocery Store Shelves
When it comes to quality produce, most consumers are aware that organic is best. Free from pesticides and artificial fertilizers, the fresh fruit and vegetables from Green Earth Organics are exactly what your customers want.
We are committed to offering the highest quality produce from farm to shelf. With farm-fresh produce as our watchword, we bring Mother Nature’s best to your store, grown with love and delivered with care.
What Are Organic Agriculture Practices?
Organic agriculture practices refer to the means of producing food in a way that protects the environment, maintains healthy soil, encourages biodiversity and utilises renewable resources.
Despite common misconception, organic farming isn’t just about banning the use of chemicals and pesticides. Instead, it means working with nature rather than against it and supplementing those efforts with approved substances and pest control techniques.
In contrast to conventional farming, which focuses on the crop yield, organic farming has a more holistic approach. Soil management, crop rotation, natural pest control and the use of natural fertilizers are essential elements of the farming practices in organic production. The end goal is to produce healthy food products which are grown in a harmonious and balanced partnership with nature.
With organic agriculture practices, prevention is better than cure. This means preserving ecosystems, maintaining the soil, using crop cover and encouraging biodiversity. Conventional farms rely on artificial fertilizers, chemical pesticides and monoculture practices.
The Importance of Certified Organic Products for Food Quality and Sustainability
Certified organic products are those which have been produced in line with organic standards and have been verified by a certification body. There are currently 36 such certification bodies in Canada and they are responsible for ensuring that growers, processors and distributors adhere to Canadian Organic Standards (COS).
To the consumer the most obvious benefit of organic crops is the absence of any synthetic chemicals and Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) which is more beneficial for health. Without the application of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, the soil also profits and is instead fed and cultivated with natural manure.
The Importance of Certified Organic Products for Food Quality and Sustainability
Spraying crops, as done on conventional farms, involves heavy agricultural equipment run on fossil fuels. Combined with the artificial substances used on the plants, this pollution adds to the overall greenhouse gas emissions of these farming practices. Organic agriculture practices produce a significantly lower carbon footprint.
As part of their commitment to sustainable farming practices, Green Earth Organics have a brand new, state of the art facility that spans across 160,000 square feet. It includes an ECONSE water recycling system that effectively recycles 98% of the water used.
Key Practices in Organic Farming
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Crop Rotation
An important aspect of organic agriculture practices is crop rotation. This means planting different crops on the same piece of land across a sequence of growing seasons. The aim of this is to avoid depleting the soil of its nutrients such as nitrogen which can happen with monoculture farming practices.
By diversifying the type of crops planted, the soil nutrients can be optimized as different plants require different nutrients and consume varying amounts. This practice contributes to the long term health of the soil.
Further benefits of crop rotation are natural pest and disease control. When one crop is continually planted, it becomes a draw for insects which feed on it and know they have a continual food source. In conventional farming, this problem is dealt with by spraying pesticides.
Organic farming simply interrupts the cycle of pests by changing the crop. This simultaneously increases biodiversity in the area by attracting different pollinators and insects.
Simple crop rotation can be swapping two or three different crops around while a more complex system can involve up to a dozen different crops grown sequentially in the same area.
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Composting
Taking care of the soil is fundamental to organic agriculture practices. Composting improves the soil structure, increases nutrient levels and helps to minimise soil erosion. Where there is heavy, clay soil, compost aids drainage while for lighter soils, it increases moisture retention, essential in times of drought.
The use of heavy farm machinery increases the pressure put on the land. With high-quality, natural manure, the soil is more resistant to compaction. Synthetic fertilizers do not have this benefit and after time become less effective with overuse. They can even lead to nutrient overload which can be detrimental to plant roots and contaminate water sources.
With good soil management, organic production is made much easier. The ground that crops are grown in is literally the foundation of great quality produce, from our farm to your shelf.
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Natural Pest Control
An integrated and systemic approach for pest control is needed in organic production as there is limited use of agricultural chemicals. Certain insects can also be beneficial, eating crop damaging pests and acting as pollinators so it’s counterproductive to eliminate all of them by spraying.
Organic crops are grown in harmony with nature and the environment so it’s only right that a natural method of control is used for pests. This increases sustainability by avoiding chemicals.
Rodents, birds, insects and nematodes can wreak havoc on crops if left unchecked. Crop rotation, soil treatment, plant selection for disease resistance, strip cropping and insect traps are all part of an integrated pest management system that can be used.
The use of predators, such as ladybugs which eat aphids, or parasitoids which develop within a host and kill them after maturation, to protect crops is a natural solution and widely used.
Soil Management: Improving Soil Fertility Without Synthetic Fertilizers
Soil management is the cornerstone of organic agriculture practices. Good quality organic matter produces a healthy soil which in turn gives rise to excellent produce. Root systems are strong, the belowground ecosystem is healthy and moisture retention or drainage are improved depending on the soil type.
The use of manure or compost in produce farming improves soil fertility, increases nutrients and adds moisture management capabilities. All of which are ideal for growing high quality fruit and vegetables without the need for synthetic fertilizers.
Green manure can be grown as part of a crop rotation cycle or reintroduced into the soil to increase fertility. Cover crops are grown between cash crops to mitigate nutrient loss, improve soil condition and manage weeds.
Using Organic Inputs to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Soil carbon sequestration, the capture and storing of carbon compounds in the ground, reduces greenhouse gas emissions. This is sometimes known as regenerative agriculture or carbon farming. Using organic inputs such as green manure or compost can increase the capacity and ability of the soil to sequester carbon.
Putting organic matter in the ground means that it is broken down by bacteria rather than by oxygen as when exposed to the air, therefore less emissions are released into the atmosphere. The use of organic material also reduces the need to produce synthetic nitrogen fertilizers, which contributes to lower greenhouse gases.
The Benefits of Organic Agriculture
Rather than fighting against the environment, organic agriculture practices work with natural resources while also being committed to protecting and preserving them. Although it’s not as convenient as some conventional approaches, such as spraying chemical pesticides or artificial fertilizers, organic farmers are committed to the future of their industry.
The closed loop approach encourages the growers of organic produce to recycle and make use of what is to hand, whether that is water, manure or natural barriers to insects. This in turn promotes long-term sustainability and a healthier planet.
By focusing on agricultural systems that work in tandem with nature, organic growers reduce the amount of energy used to grow food and create less harmful emissions.
Why Organic Crops Are Healthier for Consumers and the Planet
There are many reasons why organic crops are healthier both for consumers and for the planet. Organic agriculture practices avoid the use of chemicals so there is less concern for consumers about what they are putting into their bodies. There is a list of approved substances that organic growers can use on their crops and where possible natural products are used.
Protecting the soil, air and water sources from contamination by toxic chemicals is a driving force behind many organic processes. Natural organic materials for improving the soil or protecting crops will not leach into ponds, rivers or streams. Instead, this compost augments the soil, feeds it and provides a healthy ecosystem for crop root growth.
The future of food production will depend on how the soil is treated. Therefore, engaging in organic agriculture practices is a way of safeguarding the supply of healthy fresh fruit and vegetables for decades to come.
Challenges of Conventional Farms vs. Organic Farming
Synthetic fertilizer is made from chemicals such as ammonia, nitrogen, and phosphate. As they are quite fast acting and come in a variety of forms, liquid, powder or granule, they can produce the desired results quickly and are easily applied with the right agricultural machinery. However, they lack the micronutrients that organic matter provides.
Organic methods of fertilizing the soil use plant matter and manure in a broken down state but they are minimally processed. Due to the nature of this natural fertilizer, it releases nutrients slowly into the soil as bacteria, fungi and worms break it down. Because of its more natural composition, organic compost takes time to work its magic but it doesn’t leach toxic substances into the ground water or nearby waterways.
Challenges of Conventional Farms vs. Organic Farming
Chemical pesticides which are used on conventional farms to protect crops contain elements which can be harmful to humans. They can be carcinogenic, interfere with embryonic development and can impact the endocrine system.
In contrast, organic pest controls are derived from plants, minerals and other naturally occurring substances. Examples are diatomaceous earth, boric acid, pyrethrin and citronella.
How organic farms manage pest control naturally
Organic farms avoid using toxic methods for pest control and instead employ organic agriculture practices to overcome this issue as well as using only naturally occurring substances. Crop rotation, biological pest control and enhancing the biodiversity of the soil are used as part of organic farming.
Only pesticides which have been approved under Canadian Organic Standards can be used in organic farming.
How Retail Chains Benefit from Organic Produce
More and more people are willing to explore organic vegetables as the benefits of naturally grown produce are becoming increasingly clear. Customers want to be able to choose and you can help them make those informed choices with the opportunity to make bulk purchases of Green Earth Organics exceptional produce. With reduced packaging for bulk deliveries, you can capitalize on the increased stock without having to worry about waste. Once your customers realise the great taste, high quality and freshness of our fruit and vegetables, they’ll be back for more.
Organic Agriculture and the Growing Consumer Demand for Sustainable Food Products
Consumers are aware of the need for more sustainable food products so that’s what they’ll be looking for when they go grocery shopping. Explore organic fruits in bulk and make sure you’re supplying what your customers are demanding. Don’t miss out on savings, good levels of quality fruit and vegetables and very happy customers. Place a bulk order with Green Earth Organics today.
