Should I Buy Organic Or even Local Food

Again, I find myself torn apart with options when deciding which is the most ethical, eco friendly and/or healthy option when it comes to shopping for food and non-food products.

Should I purchase food and products that support workers within Third World by buying Fairtrade labelled products even though these goods normally journey thousands of miles from Africa, South America or South East Asia? What if these foods were produced with the use of pesticides as well as additives? It makes sense then to look for and to purchase Fairtrade, organic food in order to both help the suppliers in the Third World and fulfil my way of life choice to eat wholesome and additive/pesticide free food. Thankfully, many suppliers are now wising up to this dilemma by increasingly producing organic as well as Fairtrade labelled products. I am currently using Fairtrade, organic t-bags at home! Now arrives another important question, should I buy Fairly Traded organic sugar through Kenya that has journeyed thousands of miles, or should I buy celery grown in the UK (ideally from a farmers marketplace) that have only travelled only a few hundred kilometers which means less carbon dioxide and other nasty pollutants from the lorries that you see constantly about the motorways in the UK? Purchasing UK products not only ensures less meals miles but also facilitates local farmers, communities and economies. Regrettably, choice is often restricted and can be more expensive after that food produced in additional countries......... Decisions, decisions, it's probably better to abstain from eating and provide your choice making brain a rest!

But I'm able to safely say that I make attempts to steer clear of food or items that have travelled through far away destinations such as Australia even if they're organic! Next time you are in the supermarket or wherever you buy your food from check the labeling and you will be surprised by how far your food has journeyed. Also look at the quantity of unnecessary wrapping for example individually wrapped peppers, mushrooms and kiwi fruit in wrapped containers. When I buy from the local market I tell them to throw it all into one tote, the customer next to me personally often has Ten individually wrapped servings of fruit and veg. That is 11 (10 plus one big plastic bag) bags into the landfill site on that day. For maximum eco effectiveness we need to be using jute or other bags made from recycled materials and placing all the loose meals into that.

With regard to recycled bags, Fairtrade as well as Organic companies, products and food see GuideMeGreen.

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