Organic Values
Learn about why we encourage businesses and consumers to insist upon certified organic products. Organic farming is a sustainable system of agriculture that respects biodiversity, returns nourishment to the soil, conserves water resources and co-exists harmoniously with the rhythms of the natural world.
Certain factions within industry and government would like us to believe that residual pesticides and genetically modified DNA, commonly found in conventionally grown and processed foods, are perfectly safe to eat. We do not share that point of view. If consumers wish to avoid those substances, selecting organic foods is an excellent way to do so.
According to The Organic Center (organic-center.org): "The medical
evidence linking fruits and vegetables to good health is overwhelming. And now, so too is the new
evidence that organic fruits and vegetables deliver more nutrients per average serving".
Organic farming helps protect people and the planet by stopping the spread of soil contamination and rejecting unwanted GMO crops. Organic foods help mitigate the effects of climate change by preserving ecosystems, reducing pollution, protecting oceans, rebuilding soil and supporting agricultural diversity.
Purchasing organic food helps create healthier working environments for farmers who abstain from harmful chemicals and pesticides. Consumer demand for organic foods grows the organic market place and changes the world-wide food system for the better.
We respect "local" and "slow" foods movements, even as we source our convenient packaged groceries domestically and internationally. How do we reconcile these apparently opposing ideas? Slow Food is a global, grassroots movement that preserves local food traditions and considers how our food choices affect our world. At Edward & Sons, we revere traditional and regional foods and delight in bringing them to North Americans to enjoy. And while it is ideal to eat freshly harvested produce from a nearby farm or orchard, very few of us survive exclusively on what grows nearby (coffee or tea anyone?). Since most of us do supplement our local produce with packaged foods that come from afar, we think it's a good idea to consider their source. In our view, we are all local in an interconnected world. Whether a farmer is next door or on the other side of the planet, it is our mission to encourage that farmer to grow organically and to process his/her crop only as much as is needed to safely and deliciously reach our tables.
