The Organic Food Industry Has Changed Our Environment

The definition of organic varies by the type of food, but at its core, organic farming and production involve techniques that are generally safer for the environment and for human consumption than conventional farming, including using only nonsynthetic pesticides. Proponents of organic farming stress the health benefits of cleaner foods and less chemical residue. In recent years, the food industry has seen a significant increase in the demand for organically grown foods over the alternative choice of conventionally grown food. In 1990, the revenue spent on organic foods was a simple $1 billion, in 2008 sales soared to $21.1 billion, and in 2009, sales reached the highest ever at $26.6 billion. The significant increase in demand can be†¦show more content†¦The act was implemented in 1990, and mandated the United States Department of Agriculture to create a structured set of national standards for farmers and distributors of organically grown agricultural products to abide by. The National Organic Program, regulates organic production methods to assure consumers that the food they are eating is in fact grown organically. Guidelines for organic crop production pesticides, petroleum-based fertilizers, genetically engineered seeds, and sewer sludge-based fertilizers are not acceptable when raising organic food. When the organic method is used to raise animals, the use of antibiotics or growth hormones is not acceptable. Organic feed must be used, and the animals have to be granted access to the outdoors. The organic farming method puts ecologically friendly techniques into practice by relying on biological pest management and composting. Organic food is grown without using synthetic chemicals, antibiotics, or hormones in both crop production and raising livestock. The purpose behind organic food production is to encourage and enhance the biological cycle within the farming system to maintain and increase long-term fertility of soils, minimize all forms of pollution, avoid the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, maintain genetic diversity of the production system, consider the wider social and environmental impact of the food production