Organic is fairer too
7 March 2009
According to the IGD Shopper Trends 2009, many areas of ethical shopping are on the increase including Fairtrade, local, and animal welfare items. Over a quarter of us bought Fairtrade food in the last month, 27% opted for local production, and 20% chose food that supports high animal welfare standards.
So why is organic food losing its appeal, falling from 24% to 19% last year?
Many of us seem to be increasingly aware of our responsibility as consumers to the livelihood of those who grow and produce our goods but somehow this does not translate to organic produce. We see the connection to our own health when we purchase organic but do we forget the impact of intensive chemical farming on those working with and living adjacent to non-organic crops? Do we forget the impact of insecticides and pesticides on delicate ecosystems and the waterways that support whole communities? Do we consider the health of animals subjected to antibiotics and growth hormones?
Surely, organic is fairer too?! Fairer on the environment, on the farmers and producers that work with these crops, and on the animals who ultimately feed many of us. Our purchasing power is the power for change. We shouldn’t forget organic. Find out more about what to buy and organic certification.
