Choose Organic this September

Embracing organic food and products in our routine shopping can be a transformative practice that offers improved wellness for you and your family, while supporting the sustainability of our local environment.

By opting to shop or replace a portion of our customary purchases with items that are devoid of chemical pesticides and genetically modified organisms (GMOs), we wield the power to effect significant positive change in our world that has an exponential impact.

Organic is clean, ethical products you can trust

Organic is more than just a label; it’s a promise of trust and integrity that is firmly rooted in the principles of health, ecology, equity, and compassion. The essence of organic farming lies in its guardianship of soil, water and biodiversity – at its heart it is a regenerative and sustainable approach that works with nature, not against it.

Organic farming prioritises local supply chains, cultivating food and products close to its point of sale thereby reducing transportation and pollution, while mitigating vulnerabilities within the food system.

Smallholder farmers that are certified to the South African Organic Sector Organisation (SAOSO) organic standard within Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS) groups contribute significantly to food security in South Africa.

Choosing organic means choosing a level of assurance that what you are getting is not only better for your well-being but also a vote for our farmers and producers that conserve and care for our environment. Opting for organic food and products is an intentional decision that champions quality, authenticity and transparency.

Organic certification offers assurance that customers can trust. To make sure you are buying organic produce, look for the ‘certified organic’ seal. In South Africa, we have second party certification which works with short supply chains assured by PGS, and third party certification by an accredited certifying body to specific organic standards such as Control Union, Ecocert, Afrisco and CERES.

Healthy and nutritious food

When it comes to your health, choosing organic is a step in the right direction. As organic farming practices prohibit the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and GMOs, it means that the products you bring home are inherently free from harmful chemicals enabling you to reduce your body’s pesticide and toxic load. These chemicals accumulate in the body as well as the environment, causing both to suffer from adverse health effects. Studies have shown that eating organic, even after just a short period, can radically reduce the pesticide load on your body.

Furthermore, organic products are often more nutrient-dense than their conventional counterparts. A study published in the British Journal of Nutrition found that organic fruits and vegetables contain higher levels of antioxidants, essential vitamins, and minerals. Choosing organic this September means not only savouring delicious and wholesome products but also nurturing your body with the best nature has to offer.

Choosing Organic is climate action

As growing organically works with nature, it helps support a more ecologically balanced and resilient world. Healthy soil is the foundation of any organic farm as it builds robust plants which can better resist droughts, insects and disease. By minimising synthetic chemical inputs and prioritising soil health, organic farming enhances carbon sequestration and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

Additionally, organic methods emphasise crop diversity, water health and agroecological principles that contribute to more adaptable and sustainable agricultural systems. By selecting organic products, consumers are playing a pivotal role in reducing their carbon footprint and helping to be better custodians of our planet.

Choose Organic to protect soil, water and wildlife

Organic farms are managed in a way that promotes biodiversity, protects wildlife, bees and other pollinators, and cares for them as an integral part of a holistic system. When we purchase organic food and products, we create a demand which the organic farmer will fill leading to a more readily available, larger supply of healthier products.

Whatever you are buying – from cotton buds to carrots – when you #ChooseOrganic food, drink, beauty products, clothing, garden and input products, you choose products that support a healthier world.

For more information, visit SAOSO’s social media pages: https://www.facebook.com/saoso.org/ and https://www.instagram.com/saoso_za/ or website: https://www.saoso.org/choose-organic/.

For more information on Participatory Guarantee Systems in South Africa, visit PGS SA’s social media pages: https://www.facebook.com/pgssa.org.za and https://www.instagram.com/pgssouthafrica/ or website: https://pgssa.org.za

PR distributed on behalf of the South African Organic Sector Organisation (SAOSO)

For media or any enquiries, please contact Charmaine Koppehel:

charmaine@saoso.org

079 086 5347