Why try organic?
We’ve all been there, stood in the veg section, staring at two bunches of kale. One is a bit more expensive with a shiny green organic sticker, while the other is the standard supermarket staple. It’s easy to wonder, is organic really worth it?
Here’s the truth, we know that choosing organic produce can sometimes feel like you’re being a bit fancy or following the latest health trend, but there is a bigger picture approach focusing around how we fuel our bodies and how we treat the planet. When we talk about organic food production, we’re talking about a full ecosystem that works with nature rather than trying to outsmart it with chemicals.
At its heart, organic farming is about soil health. Think of the soil as the immune system of our food. According to the Soil Association, organic farms are home to around 50% more bees, butterflies and birds than non organic farms. By ditching synthetic pesticides and fertilisers, organic farmers keep our waterways cleaner and ensure the ground stays fertile for future generations of farmers.
For us, the eaters, the benefits are just as sweet. Organic food is often fresher because it doesn’t contain the preservatives that give non-organic produce an unnaturally long shelf life. Plus, many people find that because the plants have to fend for themselves a bit more, they develop more intense and deep flavours.
The Dirty Dozen
If you’re on a budget (and let’s face it, who isn’t?), it’s not realistic to swap everything to organic. A great strategy is to follow the Dirty Dozen list. This is a list of fruits and vegetables that tend to have the highest pesticide residues when grown conventionally.
The top offenders often include: Strawberries, spinach, nectarines, peaches, grapes and apples. So, if you can swap just these few items for their organic versions, you’re significantly reducing your daily pesticide intake. The best part? It’s getting easier to find affordable swaps. Budget friendly supermarkets like Aldi and Lidl have massively expanded their organic ranges, meaning a bag of organic apples no longer has to break the bank.
Easy and cheap organic switches
Here are five easy ways to sneak more organic goodness into your life:
- Non organic citrus fruits are often treated with post-harvest fungicides. Use organic limes and lemons for your Thai curries, Mexican salsas, or your Saturday night gin and tonic.
- Use organic condiments so you can have a little bit of organic with every meal. Add organic gherkins to burgers, splash organic chilli sauce on tacos, or dip homemade chips in organic tomato ketchup.
- Elevate your next cheese and wine night with some organic grapes. They are bite-sized flavour bombs that look beautiful on a board and are much kinder to the environment.
- Organic veg often goes in the reduced section. Grab whatever is on offer, and toss it in a big pot for a warming, nutrient dense soup.
- Thinking about your most recurring purchases, your milk, eggs etc. Just making those few items organic can have a cumulative impact on the welfare of farm animals.
Join the PICKLEBITS community
Making the switch to organic is a journey, celebrating real food and the people who grow it. We’d love to see how you’re incorporating organic ingredients into your kitchen.
Share your organic creations with us on socials! Tag @picklebits.uk on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook so we can see what you're cooking up.